ADJUSTABLE BUCKLE AND STRAP ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Highly adjustable, single piece buckles and buckle and strap assemblies for use as clothing belts and other purposes. The buckles comprise a chamber having a post that is used to hold the buckle and strap assembly in adjustment. The buckles and assemblies disclosed allow quick attachment, ease of cinching, and ease of removal. The design permits wearers to interchange belt straps, providing one buckle that can be matched to different colors and styles of belt straps.

Claims

1. A buckle comprising: A planar body having a front side and a back side, said planar body having a length and a width and thickness along a top edge and a bottom edge; A slot open to the front side and the back side of the body; said slot positioned perpendicular to a length of the body for attaching an anchoring end of a strap; An elongated chamber open to the front side and back side of the body and having an open floor, said chamber running along a width of the body, parallel to the slot, said chamber having a ceiling in proximity to the top edge of the body and two walls continuous with the ceiling, said two walls extending from the ceiling toward the open floor to be continuous with the bottom edge of the body; and A post continuous with the planar body, projecting from the chamber ceiling in the direction of the open floor, said post shrouded by the chamber walls, whereby a loose end of a strap may be securely positioned around the post.

2. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the body of the buckle is rectangular.

3. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the front side and back side of the body are parallel or equidistant along adjacent curved planes.

4. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the walls of the chamber further comprise opposing catches adjacent to the bottom edge of the body to retain a strap on the post.

5. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the walls of the chamber are parallel to the slot.

6. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the post is interposed evenly between the chamber walls.

7. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the planar body is shaped to provide a concave curve on the back side of the body.

8. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the planar body is cut from sheet metal.

9. The buckle of claim 8 wherein the body is formed to provide a concave curve on the back side of the body.

10. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the post is chamfered along the front side of the body.

11. The buckle of claim 10 wherein the post has sharp edges with small radius along the back side of the body.

12. A belt comprising: A buckle having a two-sided planar body and a front side and a back side, said planar body having a top edge and a bottom edge; A slot in the buckle body open to the front side and the back side of the body; said slot positioned perpendicular to a length of the body of the buckle for attaching an anchoring end of a strap; An elongated chamber running along a width of the body parallel to the slot, said chamber open to the front side and back side of the body and having a ceiling, walls, and an open floor, said ceiling in proximity to the top edge of the body and said walls continuous with the ceiling, said walls extending from the ceiling of said chamber to be continuous with the bottom edge of the body; A post continuous with the planar body, inside the chamber and shrouded by the chamber walls, said post projecting from the chamber ceiling in the direction of the open floor; and A strap having an anchoring end and a loose end, said anchoring end of the strap attached to the slot of the buckle body, whereby the loose end of the strap may be positioned around the post of the buckle and the belt securely cinched when the loose end of the strap is pulled.

13. The belt of claim 11 wherein the anchoring end of the strap forms a loop and further comprises at least one closure to secure the loop within the slot of the buckle.

14. The belt of claim 12 wherein the closure is a repeatably operable closure.

15. The belt of claim 11 wherein the strap is a webbing or woven fabric.

16. The belt of claim 11 wherein the strap is a flexible, solid material.

17. The belt of claim 11 wherein the front side of the buckle body is decoratively shaped or engraved.

18. The belt of claim 11 wherein the body is rectangular.

19. The belt of claim 11 wherein the body is shaped to further comprise a specialized edge or void that functions as a tool.

20. A buckle comprising: A planar body having a front side and a back side, said planar body having thickness along a top edge and a bottom edge; A slot open to the front side and the back side of the body; said slot positioned perpendicular to a length of the body for attaching a buckle end of a strap; An elongated chamber open to the front side and back side of the body, said chamber running along a width of the body, parallel to the slot, said chamber having a ceiling in proximity to the top edge of the body and a floor in proximity to the bottom edge of the body and two walls continuous with the ceiling, said two walls extending from the ceiling to the floor; and A post continuous with the planar body, projecting from the chamber ceiling in the direction of the floor, said post shrouded by the chamber, whereby a loose end of a strap may be securely positioned around the post.

21. A buckle comprising: A planar body having a front side and a back side, said planar body having a length and a width and having a thickness along a top edge and a bottom edge; A slot open to the front side and the back side of the body; said slot positioned perpendicular to a length of the body for attaching an anchoring end of a strap; An elongated chamber open to the front side and back side of the body and having an open floor, said chamber running across a width of the body, parallel to the slot, said chamber having a ceiling in proximity to the top edge of the body and a wall continuous with the ceiling, said wall extending from the ceiling toward the open floor to be continuous with the bottom edge of the body; and A post continuous with the planar body, projecting from the chamber ceiling in the direction of the open floor, said post opposite the chamber wall, whereby a loose end of a strap may be securely positioned between the post and the chamber wall.

22. The buckle of claim 21 further comprising a catch adjacent to the bottom edge of the body to retain a strap within the chamber and beside the post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buckle having a slot and a chamber at opposite ends.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the buckle of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a back view of the buckle of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the buckle of FIG. 1 attached to a strap.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a buckle having an elongated body.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a section view of the buckle of FIG. 5 showing the routing of a strap.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a section view of the buckle of FIG. 5 showing an alternate routing of a strap.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a buckle having a chamber with a closed ceiling and floor.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a buckle having a post continuous with the body of the buckle.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a section view of the buckle of FIG. 9 showing the routing of a strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Adjustable buckle and strap assemblies of the present invention comprise a novel buckle configured such that a strap may be placed sideways into a chamber of the buckle rather than being threaded through a void. Flexible straps attached to buckles of the present invention do not need holes for adjustment and are easily fastened, adjusted, and unfastened. Once routed through the buckle chamber, the strap can be adjusted without conforming to incremental limitations by simply pulling the loose end of the strap until the desired length or tension of the strap is reached.

[0026] The tension force is provided by the frictional force of the strap wrapping around the post and the changing angle of the strap at the edges of the chamber walls. The frictional force can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the rate of angular change of the strap at the corner edges of the post and chamber walls by decreasing or increasing the corner radius. Tightening the belt is accomplished by reducing the frictional force by pulling the adjustable end of the buckle away from the body of the wearer so that the strap no longer wraps around the sharp corners with small radius on the back of the buckle. Once the strap is adjusted and the buckle is released to lay flat against the body again, the strap once again has an angular change at the sharp corners with small radius and the resulting frictional force prevents the strap from slipping and loosening.

[0027] The following descriptions of particular embodiments refer to accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The language, examples, and embodiments shown and/or described herein are provided for description and not limitation. Rather than being limited to the details of the particular arrangements shown, the present warming sleeve invention is to be understood to include the many combinations of features and/or elements referenced herein in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] As used herein, the term “anchoring end” when referring to an end of a strap refers to the end of the strap that is permanently or removably attached to the non-adjustable end of a buckle. The anchoring end of a strap is opposite the “loose end” of the strap that is typically used for adjustability.

[0029] The term “loose end” when used herein refers to a portion of a strap that is opposite the “anchoring end” of the strap. The “loose end” includes not only the tip but also a length of the strap that is sufficient to operate the strap with a buckle in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] Shown now in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention. The buckle comprises a planar body 02 having a front side 04 and a back side 06. (Not shown) The body of the buckle is approximately 3.25 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 0.125 inches thick. A slot 08 on a non-adjustable end 10 of the body 02 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the body and penetrates through the buckle from the front side 04 to the back side 06 for conveniently attaching a strap. Opposite the non-adjustable or slotted end 10 of the buckle body 02 is a chamber 12 at the adjustable end 14 of the body 02. Within the chamber 12 is a post 16 around which a loose end of a strap may be directed for adjustable fastening to the buckle. The post 16 is continuous with the buckle body 02, having a base 18 in proximity to the top edge 20 of the body. The post 16 extends downward toward the bottom edge of the body and ends at a tip 22 that is in proximity to the bottom edge 24.

[0031] Shown in FIG. 2 is the front side 04 of a buckle shown in FIG. 1 having a body 02 with a slot 08 and a chamber 12 at opposite ends. The body 02 of the buckle is planar and has a top edge 20 and a bottom edge 24. The slot 08 and chamber 12 run parallel to one another along the width of the body 02 and penetrate through the body from the front side 04, exiting at the back side of the body. The chamber 12 of the body has a ceiling 26 in proximity to the top edge 20 of the body and walls 28 extending from the ceiling 26 of the chamber to an open floor 30. The bottom of the walls 28 of the chamber comprise opposing catches 32 and are continuous with the bottom edge 24 of the body of the buckle at the open floor 30.

[0032] Within the chamber 12 is a post 16 that is interposed between and partially shrouded by the chamber walls 28. The base 18 of the post is continuous with the buckle body 02 and projects downward from the ceiling 26 of the chamber in the direction of the floor 30. At the bottom end of the post is a tip 22 interposed between the catches 32 of the chamber walls 28. The post 16 is chamfered or rounded between the base 18 and the tip 22 where the post 16 meets the front side 04 of the buckle body 02. The limited space between the tip 22 of the post and the catches 32 of the chamber walls help retain straps securely positioned around the post 16 in the chamber.

[0033] Shown in FIG. 3 is the back side 06 of the buckle shown in FIG. 1 showing the slot 08 and chamber 12 exiting through the back side 06 of the body 02. The post 16, interposed between the chamber walls 28 and extending downward from the chamber ceiling 26 is continuous with the body 02 and is not chamfered or rounded along the back side 06.

[0034] Shown now in FIG. 4 is the buckle of FIG. 1 with a flexible strap 34 partially attached to the buckle through the slot 08 on the non-adjustable end 10 of the body 02. The buckle and strap combination of FIG. 4 provide an assembly that may be used as a belt to cinch around an article of clothing.

[0035] The strap 34 is comprised of an anchoring end 36 and a loose end 38 and is fitted with a pair of snap closures 40 positioned at the anchoring end. When the snaps are closed, the anchoring end 36 of the strap forms a loop for conveniently attaching to the slot 08 at the non-adjustable end 10 of the buckle. The snaps 40 may be repeatably opened and closed to separate the strap 34 from the buckle, allowing the strap to be easily replaced for maintenance or aesthetic reasons.

[0036] The buckle and strap assembly of FIG. 4 is easily fastened and unfastened and functions perfectly as a belt. The chamber 12 at the adjustable end 14 of the buckle is adapted to receive the loose end 38 of the strap 34. After positioning the loose end 38 around the post 16 of the buckle, the most distal portion of the loose end 38 may be pulled to cinch the belt. The loose end 38 of the strap may be positioned around the post 16 by sliding the strap sideways over the post or alternatively by threading the tip of the loose end 38 into the chamber 12. Similarly, the belt may be easily unfastened by either sliding the strap sideways off the post 16 and out from the chamber 12 or pulling out the loose end of the strap 34.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 4, the planar body 02 of the buckle is rectangular and is shaped along its length to conform to the anatomy of a wearer, having a convex curve on the front side 04 and a concave curve on the back side of the body 02. To produce the body curves, the rectangular buckle is cut from a metal sheet and formed so that the front side 04 of the body 02 is parallel or equidistant to the back side of the body 02 along adjacent curved planes.

[0038] Shown now in FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention. As with the buckle shown in FIG. 1, the buckle of FIG. 5 comprises a planar body 02 having a front side 04 and a back side 06 (Not shown) A slot 08 on a non-adjustable end 10 of the body 02 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the body and penetrates through the buckle from the front side 04 to the back side 06 for conveniently attaching a strap. Opposite the non-adjustable or slotted end 10 of the buckle body 02 is a chamber 12 at the adjustable end 14 of the body 02. The width of the body is the same as the buckle of FIG. 1 but the length of the body in FIG. 5 is longer so that the chamber 12 of the buckle is further spaced from the distal portion 42 of the adjustable end 14.

[0039] Like the buckle shown in FIG. 1, the chamber 12 of the buckle in FIG. 5 runs along the width of the planar body 02, parallel to the slot 08 at the opposite end. Within the chamber 12 is a post 16, continuous with the buckle body 02, having a base 18 in proximity to the top edge 20. The post 16 extends downward toward the bottom edge 24 of the body and terminates at a tip 22 that is in proximity to the bottom edge 24.

[0040] In other embodiments of buckles according to the present invention, the length of the buckle may be extended or reduced and the chamber may be positioned closer or further from the slot. Likewise, the slot may be positioned at other positions along the buckle length, parallel to the chamber. In another embodiment, the body of a buckle is not rectangular or planar but highly decorative instead.

[0041] Straps may be routed through chambers of buckles of the present invention in one of several ways. Shown in FIG. 6 is the buckle of FIG. 5 sectioned to describe one of several routes for attaching a strap to the adjustable end of the buckle. As shown in FIG. 6, when handling the loose end 38 of a strap 34 in the conventional way, the extremity 44 of the loose end 38 of the strap is first directed behind the buckle body 02 toward the wall of the chamber 12 nearest the slot 08. The extremity 44 of the loose end is then directed through the chamber between the post 16 and the wall of the chamber nearest to the slot 08, so as to protrude through the front side 04 of the buckle. Next, the extremity 44 of the loose end is directed around the front side of the post 16 and into the chamber 12 near the wall of the chamber that is furthest from the slot 08. With the extremity 44 of the loose end protruding through the back side 06 of the buckle body 02 and over much of the loose end 38, the extremity 44 of the loose end may be pulled to tighten the strap 34.

[0042] Still referring to FIG. 6, the open floor feature of the buckle chamber allows the strap 34 to be routed through the adjustable end 14 of the buckle in an identical path without handling the loose end 38 of the strap 34 in the conventional way. Instead of directing the extremity 44 of the loose end through the chamber 12, the strap may be positioned around the post 16 by folding a loop in the strap 14 and sliding the strap sideways onto the post 16 through the open floor of the chamber 12. Rather than tightening the belt in the conventional way, the loop may first be folded closer to the anchoring end 36 of the strap to create tension in the strap 34 before sliding the loop sideways onto the post 16.

[0043] Shown now in FIG. 7 is an alternate way of routing a strap through the chamber of the buckle of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, when handling the loose end 38 of a strap 34 in the conventional way, the extremity 44 of the loose end 38 of the strap is first directed behind the buckle body 02 toward the wall of the chamber 12 furthest from the slot 08. The extremity 44 of the loose end is then directed through the chamber 12 between the post 16 and the wall of the chamber furthest from the slot 08, so as to protrude through the front side 04 of the buckle. Next, the extremity 44 of the loose end is directed around the front side of the post 16 and into the chamber 12 near the wall of the chamber that is nearest to the slot 08. With the extremity 44 of the loose end protruding through the back side 06 of the buckle body 02 and under the loose end 38, the extremity 44 of the loose end may be pulled to tighten the strap 34.

[0044] Still referring to FIG. 7, the open floor feature of the buckle chamber allows the strap 34 to be routed through the adjustable end 14 of the buckle body 02 in an identical path without handling the loose end 38 of the strap in the conventional way. Instead of directing the extremity 44 of the loose end through the chamber 12, the strap 34 may be positioned around the post 16 by folding a loop in the strap and sliding the strap 34 sideways onto the post 16 through the open floor of the chamber 12. Rather than tightening the belt in the conventional way, the loop may first be folded closer to the anchoring end 36 of the strap to create tension in the strap 34 before sliding the loop sideways onto the post 16.

[0045] Shown now in FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention. The buckle comprises a planar body 02 having a front side 04 and a back side 06 (Not shown) A slot 08 on a non-adjustable end 10 of the body 02 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the body and penetrates through the buckle from the front side 04 to the back side 06 for conveniently attaching a strap. Opposite the non-adjustable or slotted end 10 of the buckle body 02 is a chamber 12 having a ceiling 26, walls 28 continuous with the ceiling, and a closed floor 30 continuous with the bottoms of the walls. Within the chamber 12 at the adjustable end 14 of the body 02 is a post 16 around which a loose end of a strap may be directed for adjustable fastening to the buckle. The post 16 is continuous with the buckle body 02 and is connected to the closed ceiling 26 of the chamber by its base 18 in proximity to the top edge 20 of the body. The post 16 extends from the ceiling 26 of chamber downward toward the bottom edge 24 of the body to terminate at a tip 22 that is spaced back from the closed floor 30 of the chamber 12.

[0046] The chamber 12 of the buckle of FIG. 8 partially shrouds the post 16 and penetrates through the front and back sides of the buckle body. The post 16, running parallel to the slot 08 at the opposite end of the body, extends from the ceiling 26 of the chamber only part of the way to the closed floor 30, leaving a gap 46 between the tip 22 of the post and the floor 30 of the chamber. A loose end of a strap may be placed sideways through the gap 46 and around the post 16 to position the strap for fastening and adjustment.

[0047] A loose end of a strap may be attached to the adjustable end of the buckle of FIG. 8 through the same paths as the routes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Similarly, the loose ends may be attached by handling the loose end extremities in the conventional way or, as previously described, may be more speedily attached by placing the side of the loose end of the strap between the floor of the chamber 30 and the tip 22 of the post 16 and pushing the strap into position around the post.

[0048] Shown now in FIG. 9 is a preferred embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention. The buckle comprises a planar body 02 having a front side 04 and a back side 06. (Not shown) The body of the buckle is approximately 3.25 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 0.125 inches thick. A slot 08 on a non-adjustable end 10 of the body 02 is positioned perpendicular to the length of the body and penetrates through the buckle from the front side 04 to the back side 06 for conveniently attaching a strap. Opposite the non-adjustable or slotted end 10 of the buckle body 02 is a chamber 12 at the adjustable end 14 of the body 02.

[0049] The chamber comprises a ceiling 26, a wall 28 continuous with the ceiling, and an open floor 30. The chamber wall extends from the ceiling 26 of the chamber, along a width of the body 02, to be continuous with the bottom edge 24. Also running along the width of the body, as part of the chamber 12, and opposite from the chamber wall 28 is a post 16 that extends from the ceiling 26 of the chamber to the bottom edge 24 of the body. The tip of the post 16 comprises a catch 32 and the post functions as a second wall of the chamber 12.

[0050] The loose end of a strap may be directed sideways into the chamber 12 between the post 16 and the chamber wall 28 for adjustable fastening to the buckle. Alternatively, the extremity of a loose end of a strap may be inserted through the chamber from the front side 04 of the buckle.

[0051] Shown now in FIG. 10 is the buckle of FIG. 9 and still another way of routing a strap through the chamber of a buckle according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, when handling the loose end 38 of a strap 34 in the conventional way, the extremity 44 of the loose end 38 of the strap is first directed to the front side 04 of the buckle and into the chamber 12 between the post 16 and the opposing chamber wall 28. With the extremity 44 of the loose end protruding through the chamber 12 on the back side 06 of the buckle body 02 and under the anchoring end 36 of the strap 34, the extremity 44 of the loose end may be pulled to tighten the strap.

[0052] The open floor feature of the buckle shown in FIG. 9 allows the strap 34 to be routed through the adjustable end 14 of the buckle body 02 in an identical path without handling the loose end 38 of the strap in the conventional way. Instead of directing the extremity 44 of the loose end through the chamber 12, the strap 34 may be positioned between the post 16 and the opposing chamber wall 28 by sliding the loose end 38 of the strap sideways through the open floor 30 of the chamber 12. Rather than tightening the belt in the conventional way, the strap can be positioned around the post 16 at a point closer to the anchoring end 36 of the strap 34 to create tension in the strap before sliding the strap 34 sideways onto the post 16.

[0053] The strap route shown in FIG. 10 may also be used for the buckles shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 8 by directing the extremity of the loose end of a strap to the front side of the buckles and into their chambers between the post and the chamber wall nearest the slots at the non-adjustable ends of the buckles. With the extremity of a loose end of a strap protruding through the chamber on the back side of any of the buckles shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 8 and under the anchoring end of the strap, the extremity of the loose end may be pulled to tighten the strap.

[0054] Similarly, a strap may be routed through the adjustable end of the buckles of FIGS. 1, 5, and 8 in an identical path without handling the loose end of the strap in the conventional way. Instead of directing the extremity of the loose end through a chamber of the buckles, the strap may be positioned between the post of the buckle and the chamber wall nearest the slot of the buckle body by sliding the loose end of the strap sideways through the open floor or gap of the chamber depending on the particular buckle embodiment. Rather than tightening the strap in the conventional way, the strap can be positioned around the post at a point closer to the anchoring end of the strap to create tension in the strap before sliding the strap sideways onto the post.

[0055] Straps for buckles and buckle and strap assemblies of the present invention are preferably replaceable, with repeatably operable closures and should made of strong, flexible material. The material can be woven fabric, webbing, or solid material. Preferred materials for such straps include Kevlar®, cotton, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon.

[0056] Buckles of assemblies according to the present invention may be functionally or decoratively shaped and be largely non-planar, so long as the slot and chamber of the buckle body are parallel. Some embodiments of buckle bodies may be shaped with specialized edges and/or voids to function as tools and are preferably made from harder materials to resist wear and damage from such use. Such materials can also be decoratively plated or coated, or engraved, to provide additional adornment.

[0057] Buckles of the present invention are best made from non-reactive, rigid materials such as work hardened or heat treated sheets of metals like stainless steel, brass, titanium, or other non-reactive metals. Inferior metals, prone to corrosion, could be used with the application of a coating or plating to slow or prevent deterioration. Aluminum, plastic, ceramic, fiber reinforced resin, or carbon fiber can also be used as options for fabrication the present invention. Buckles made from less substantial materials such as aluminum should be made thicker or with wider posts, or both, to provide enough strength to securely fasten a strap.

[0058] Buckles of the present invention may be manufactured by a variety of methods. In the preferred method, the fine geometry of a buckle is laser cut from a sheet of metal. Top edges of the post are chamfered using a CNC end mill. Alternatively, the buckle can be cut by plasma, water jet, sawing, or even entirely on an end mill. Curving of the planar buckle body is accomplished by use of a forming die in a press.

[0059] In another method of manufacture, the buckle is die cast in the shape of the final form and tumbled to the desired finish.

[0060] In yet another method of manufacture, the buckle is injection molded, either from plastic or metal, into the final form with little to no finishing required.

[0061] In yet another method of manufacture, the buckle is 3D printed from plastic or a combination of plastic and fibers, into the final form with little or no finishing required.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described with reference to a few simplified embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Rather, it should be understood that the particular features and structures shown and/or described in drawings, specification, or appended claims may be combined in any suitable manner in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.