BELT BUCKLE, IN PARTICULAR OF LEATHER GOODS, AND BELT, IN PARTICULAR OF LEATHER GOODS, COMPRISING SUCH A BUCKLE

Abstract

A belt buckle, in particular leatherware, includes a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a prong mechanically connected to the body and a loop mechanically connected to the body, the prong and the loop being movably mounted relative to the body, and the buckle being configured to accept a first configuration in which the prong and the loop protrude from the second face and a second configuration in which the prong and the loop are displaced relative to the body and protrude from the first face.

Claims

1. A belt buckle comprising: a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a prong mechanically connected to the body; and a loop mechanically connected to the body, wherein the prong and the loop are movably mounted relative to the body, and the belt buckle is configured to have a first configuration in which the prong and the loop protrude from the second face and a second configuration in which the prong and the loop are displaced relative to the body and protrude from the first face.

2. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the prong is rotatably mounted relative to the body, and the belt buckle is configured to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration by rotating the prong.

3. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the loop is movably mounted in translation relative to the body, and the belt buckle is configured to switch from the first configuration to second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration by sliding the loop.

4. The belt buckle according to claim 1, further comprising an actuating mechanism configured to lock the prong in a first stable position in which the prong protrudes from the second face and in a second stable position in which the prong protrudes from the first face when the actuating mechanism is disengaged, the actuating mechanism being configured to release the prong to move the prong from the first stable position to the second stable position, or from the second stable position to the first stable position, when the actuating mechanism is engaged.

5. The belt buckle according to claim 4, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a push button movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position and provided with a guide pin around which the prong is movably mounted, and a retractable stop which is movably mounted under an action of the push button between a stable locking position of the prong when the push button is in the disengaged position and an unlocking position of the prong when the push button is in the engaged position.

6. The belt buckle according to claim 5, wherein the prong comprises a base having a through-hole in which the guide pin slides, and a notch where the guide pin opens and where the retractable stop is partially housed.

7. The belt buckle according to claim 5, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a return member configured to place the retractable stop in the stable locking position of the prong and return the push button to the disengaged position.

8. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the body is provided with a first cavity opening onto either side of the first face and the second face, and the prong comprises a base which is mounted in an articulated manner in the first cavity.

9. The belt buckle according to claim 8, wherein the body is provided with at least one second cavity opening onto the first cavity, and the actuating mechanism is at least partially housed in the at least one second cavity.

10. The belt buckle according to claim 9, wherein the body is provided with at least one third cavity opening onto either side of the first face and the second face, and the loop is movably mounted through the at least one third cavity.

11. The belt buckle according to claim 10, wherein the at least one third cavity is formed by a first recess provided in the first face, a second recess provided in the second face, and a wall separating the first recess and the second recess, at least one opening being provided in the wall, and the loop has a frame shape forming a first bridge connector located on a side of the first recess, a second bridge connector located on a side of the second recess, and link arms joining the first bridge connector and the second bridge connector, the link arms being movably mounted through the at least one opening provided in the wall.

12. The belt buckle according to claim 11, wherein, in the first configuration of the belt buckle, the first bridge connector of the loop is housed in the first recess abutting against the wall while the second bridge connector protrudes from the second face of the body, and in the second configuration of the buckle, the second bridge connector of the loop is housed in the second recess abutting against the wall while the first bridge connector protrudes from the first face of the body.

13. The belt buckle according to claim 1 wherein the body of the belt buckle has an H-shape, the body having a first branch, a second branch approximately parallel to the first branch, and a third branch joining the first branch and the second branch, the prong being partially housed in the first branch.

14. A belt comprising: the belt buckle according to claim 1; and a belt strip extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the belt strip being provided with a first hole formed on the side of the first end and a plurality of second holes provided at a distance from each other according to a determined spacing on a side of the second end, the belt buckle being configured, in one of the first configuration and the second configuration, to be mechanically connected to: the first end of the belt strip, the prong cooperating with the first hole provided at the first end of the belt strip, and the second end of the belt strip, the second end of the belt strip passing through the loop and the prong cooperating with one of the second holes provided at the second end of the belt strip, to close the belt strip.

15. The belt according to claim 14, wherein the prong comprises a base, and a pin provided with a first section extending from the base, the first section being configured to cooperate with the first hole of the belt strip to mechanically connect the first end of the belt strip to the buckle, and a second section configured to cooperate with the one second hole to mechanically connect the second end of the belt strip to the buckle.

16. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the body of the belt buckle has an H-shape, the body having a first branch, a second branch approximately parallel to the first branch, and a third branch joining the first branch and the second branch, the loop being partially housed in the second branch.

17. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the body of the belt buckle has an H-shape, the body having a first branch, a second branch approximately parallel to the first branch, and a third branch joining the first branch and the second branch, the prong being partially housed in the first branch, and the loop being partially housed in the second branch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, will be better understood and the advantages thereof will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description, which is intended as a guideline and is in no way exhaustive, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, an overview of a leather belt, comprising a belt strip and a belt buckle according to the invention which is mechanically connected to the belt strip.

[0035] FIG. 2 represents in isolated perspective the belt buckle visible in FIG. 1, in a first configuration where a first face of the belt buckle is visible and a loop and a prong of the buckle protrude from a second face of the belt buckle which is opposite the first face.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an isolated and exploded perspective view of the belt buckle visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an angle of view taken from the side of the second face.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the belt buckle which is in a second configuration in which the loop and the prong have been displaced and protrude from the first face.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4, the belt buckle being in its second configuration.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view labelled A-A in FIG. 2.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 6.

[0041] FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are views similar to those of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, where a mechanism for actuating the prong is engaged to move the belt buckle from its second configuration to its first configuration, with the cross-section in FIG. 8 marked B-B rather than A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a leather belt 1 comprising a belt strip 2 and a belt buckle 3 configured to be connected to the belt strip 2 and to form a closure mechanism of the leather belt 1.

[0043] The belt strip 2 extends longitudinally between a first end 4 and a second end 5 opposite the first end 4.

[0044] The belt strip 2 is provided with a first hole (not visible in FIG. 1) provided on the side of the first end 4 and with a plurality of second holes 6 provided at a distance from each other according to a determined spacing on the side of the second end 5.

[0045] The belt strip 2 here comprises eight second holes 6.

[0046] Alternatively, the belt strip may comprise more than eight or less than eight second holes and the belt strip may further comprise a plurality of first holes.

[0047] The belt strip 2 here has a predetermined width.

[0048] The buckle 3 comprises a body 10, a prong 11 mechanically connected to the body 10 and a loop 12 mechanically connected to the body 10.

[0049] In FIG. 1, the leather belt 1 is shown in a closed configuration where the buckle 3 ensures the closure of the leather belt 1 by being connected with both the first end 4 and the second end 5 of the belt strip 2.

[0050] In particular, the buckle 3 is mechanically connected, on the one hand to the first end 4 of the belt strip 2, with the prong 11 cooperating with the first hole provided at the first end 4 of the belt strip 2 and, on the other hand, to the second end 5 of the belt strip 2, with the second end 5 of the belt strip 2 passing through the loop 12 and the prong 11 cooperating with a second hole 6 chosen from the plurality of second holes 6 provided at the second end 5 of the belt strip 2.

[0051] The leather belt 1 can be moved into an open configuration (not shown) where the buckle 3 no longer ensures the closure of the leather belt 1, by disengaging the prong 11 from the second hole 6 and removing the second end 5 of the belt strip from the loop 12 so as to mechanically release the buckle 3 from the second end 5 of the belt strip 2.

[0052] Thus, the buckle 3 forms a mechanism for opening and closing the leather belt 1.

[0053] FIGS. 2 to 4 show the buckle 3 in more detail.

[0054] The buckle 3 is metallic here. It may or may not be a precious metal.

[0055] Alternatively, the buckle may not be metallic, but instead made at least partially of plastic, or even of another material suitable for its use.

[0056] The body 10 of the buckle 3 is described hereinbelow.

[0057] The body 10 of the buckle 3 has a first face 13 and a second face 14 opposite the first face 13.

[0058] The first face 13 here has a first pattern and a first shade, while the second face 14 here has a second pattern that differs from the first pattern and a second shade that differs from the first shade.

[0059] As explained below, the buckle 3 is configured to be mounted on the belt with either its first face 13 visible, i.e. visible even when the belt is worn, or with its second face 14 visible.

[0060] In particular, the prong 11 and the loop 12 are movably mounted relative to the body 10, and the buckle 3 is configured to accept a first configuration in which the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the second face 14 (FIG. 2) and a second configuration in which the prong 11 and the loop 12 are displaced relative to the body 10 and protrude from the first face 13 (FIG. 4).

[0061] The body 10 of the buckle 3 has a contour 15 joining the first face 13 and the second face 14.

[0062] The contour 15 has an upper portion 16, a lower portion 17 opposite the upper portion 16, a first lateral portion 18 joining the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 17, and a second lateral portion 19, opposite the first lateral portion 18, and also joining the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 17.

[0063] The contour 15 furthermore has, at the interfaces with the first face 13 and the second face 15, the first bevelled edges here.

[0064] In the illustrated example, the body 10 of the buckle 3 has an H-shape.

[0065] Alternatively, the body of the buckle may have a different shape, for example rectangular, square, oval, circular, etc.

[0066] The body 10 of the buckle 3 here has a first branch 20, a second branch 21 approximately parallel to the first branch 20, and a third branch 22 joining the first branch 20 and the second branch 21.

[0067] The first branch 20 and the second branch 21 each have a height, which is slightly greater than the width of the belt strip, and the third branch 22 joins the first branch 20 and the second branch 21 generally at half height.

[0068] The body 10 of the buckle 3 is here provided with a first cavity 25 provided in the first branch 20 and opening on either side of the first face 13 and the second face 14, and here also on the first lateral portion 18 of the contour 15 (FIG. 3).

[0069] In the illustrated example, the first cavity 25 is provided generally at half height of the first branch 20.

[0070] The body 10 of the buckle 3 is here also provided with a second cavity 26 provided in the first branch 20 (FIG. 3).

[0071] In the illustrated example, the second cavity 26 is provided over a major part of the height of the first branch 20.

[0072] In particular, the second cavity 26 opens into the upper portion 16 of the contour 15 and into the first cavity 25, and extends beyond the first cavity 25 towards the lower portion 17 of the contour 15.

[0073] In other words, the second cavity 26 has a first space 27 provided on an upper half-height of the first branch 20 and opening into the upper portion 16 of the contour 15 and into the first cavity 25, as well as a second space 28 provided on a section of a lower half-height of the first branch 20, opening into the first cavity 25, and blind towards the lower portion 17 of the contour 15.

[0074] The body 10 of the buckle 3 is also provided here with a third cavity 29 provided in the second branch 21.

[0075] The third cavity 29 opens onto either side of the first face 13 and the second face 14.

[0076] The third cavity 29 is here formed by a first recess 30 provided in the first face 13, a second recess 31 provided in the second face 14, a wall 32 formed by a portion of the body 10 and separating the first recess 30 and the second recess 31.

[0077] The third cavity 29 also has a first opening 33 and a second opening 34 which are provided in the wall 32.

[0078] The first recess 30, the second recess 31 and the wall 32 extend generally over the majority of the height of the second branch 21.

[0079] The first recess 30 and the second recess 31 do not open onto the upper portion 16 or on the lower portion 17 of the contour 15.

[0080] The first opening 33 is provided here in the wall 32 near the upper portion 16, while the second opening 34 is provided here in the wall 32 near the lower portion 17.

[0081] The first opening 33 and the second opening 34 are through openings and open onto either side of the first face 13 and the second face 14.

[0082] We will now describe the prong 11 of the buckle 3 and its cooperation with the body 10.

[0083] The prong 11 here comprises a base 35 and a pin 36 protruding from the base 35.

[0084] The base 35 is configured to be housed in the first cavity 25 of the body 10.

[0085] The base 35 therefore is generally of a complementary shape of the first cavity 25.

[0086] The base 35, which has a generally parallelepiped shape here, is provided with second edges which are also partially bevelled to match the first bevelled edges of the contour 15 of the body 10.

[0087] In the illustrated example, the base 35 further has a through hole 37 and a notch 38 (more visible in FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 10).

[0088] The pin 36 is formed as a single piece with the base 35, or either attached and mechanically connected to the base 35, for example by screwing or by interlocking and/or glueing.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the pin 36 is provided with a first section 40 extending from the base 35, a second section 41 extending from the first section 40, and a head 42 extending from the second section 41 up to a open end of the pin 36.

[0090] For example, the first section 40 is configured to cooperate with the first hole of the belt strip 2 so as to mechanically connect the first end 4 of the belt strip 2 to the buckle 3, while the second section 41 is configured to cooperate with the second hole 6 chosen from the plurality of second holes 6 so as to mechanically connect the second end 5 of the belt strip 2 to the buckle 3.

[0091] The head 42 in turn has a radial section at least greater than that of the second section 41.

[0092] Since the head 42 is configured to be inserted first into the first hole and into the second hole 6 chosen from the plurality of second holes 6 of the belt strip 2, the head 42 makes it possible to maintain the mechanical securing of the prong 11 with the belt strip 2.

[0093] In FIGS. 2 and 4, the base 35 of the prong 11 is housed in the first cavity 25 provided in the first branch 20 of the body 10, and is movably mounted and articulated rotationally relative to the body 10.

[0094] In particular, the base 35 of the prong 11 can rotate in the first cavity 25 of the body 10, between a first stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the second face 14 (FIG. 2) and a second stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the first face 13 (FIG. 4).

[0095] Thus, the prong 11 can switch from one to the other between the first face 13 and the second face 14 and between the second face 14 and the first face 13 of the body 10.

[0096] In other words, the prong 11 can be positioned protruding from both the first face 13 and the second face 14, i.e. on either side of the body 10 of the buckle 3.

[0097] To achieve this, the buckle 3 is provided with an actuating mechanism 65 that is configured to lock the prong 11 in the first stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the second face 14 (FIG. 2), and in the second stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the first face 13 (FIG. 3) when the actuating mechanism 65 is disengaged, and to release the prong 11 to move it from its first stable position to its second stable position, or vice versa, when the actuating mechanism 65 is engaged.

[0098] In particular, the actuating mechanism 65 is configured to be accommodated at least partially in the second cavity 26 of the body 10.

[0099] The actuating mechanism 65 comprises a push button 66 movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0100] The push button 66 is provided at one end with a guide pin 67.

[0101] The push button 66 is housed at least partially in the first space 27 of the second cavity 26 of the body 10, with the guide pin 67 protruding into the first cavity 25 of the body 10.

[0102] The guide pin 67 is configured to be slidably mounted in the through-hole 37 of the base 35 of the prong 11 to open onto the notch 38 of the base 35 of the prong 11.

[0103] The actuating mechanism 65 further comprises a retractable stop 68 and a return member 70, formed here by a spring, configured to actuate the retractable stop 68.

[0104] The retractable stop 68 and the return member 70 are housed at least partially in the second space 28 of the second cavity 26 of the body 10, with the base 35 of the prong 11 which is interposed between the push button 66 and the retractable stop 68, and with the return member 70 which is located at the bottom of the second space 28 and which engages the retractable stop 68 against the base 35 of the prong 11, at the notch 38.

[0105] Furthermore, the retractable stop 68 is configured to cooperate with the guide pin 67 of the push button 66.

[0106] In other words, the retractable stop 68 is movably mounted under the action of the push button 66 and therefore of the guide pin 67, between a stable locking position of the prong 11 when the push button 66 is in the disengaged position and an unlocking position of the prong 11 when the push button 66 is in the engaged position.

[0107] We will now describe the loop 12 of the buckle 3 and its cooperation with the body 10.

[0108] The loop 12 here has a frame shape forming a first bridge connector 47, a second bridge connector 50 and link arms 53 joining the first bridge connector 47 and the second bridge connector 50.

[0109] In particular, in the illustrated example, the loop 12 comprises a male part 45 and a female part 46 separate from the male part 45.

[0110] The male part 45 is provided with the first bridge connector 47 and two first link half-arms 48 which protrude from the first bridge connector 47.

[0111] The female part 46 is provided with the second bridge connector 50 and two second link half-arms 51 which protrude from the second bridge connector 50.

[0112] The two first link half-arms 48 are here provided with male securing means 49, while the two second link half-arms 51 are provided here with female securing means 52 complementary to the male securing means 49 and configured to cooperate with the latter so as to form the link arms 53 of the loop 12.

[0113] In the illustrated example, the loop 12 is mechanically connected to the second branch 21 of the body 10 and the loop 12 is movable slidably through the third cavity 29.

[0114] In particular, the first bridge connector 47 is located on the side of the first recess 30, while the second bridge connector 50 is located on the side of the second recess 31, and the link arms 53 are movably mounted through the first opening 33 and the second opening 34 provided in the wall 32.

[0115] The first bridge connector 47 here has a shape complementary to the first recess 30, while the second bridge connector 50 here has a shape complementary to the second recess 31.

[0116] In the illustrated example, the first bridge connector 47 and the second bridge connector 50 also have third edges which are also at least partially bevelled to match the first bevelled edges of the contour 15 of the body 10.

[0117] The buckle 3 further comprises two friction rings 60.

[0118] The two friction rings 60 are each mounted around one of the link arms 53 of the loop 12 and respectively in the first opening 33 and in the second opening 34 provided in the wall 32.

[0119] The friction rings 60 are configured to cooperate by friction with the link arms 53 of the loop 12 when the latter is slid, so as to hold the loop 12 in position.

[0120] The loop 12 is thus configured to be switched from one to the other between the first face 13 and the second face 14 of the body 10 and between the second face 14 and the first face 13 of the body 10.

[0121] In other words, the loop 12 can be protruding from both the first face 13 and the second face 14, i.e. on either side of the body 10 of the buckle 3.

[0122] The buckle 3 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 is thus configured to switch from its first configuration (FIG. 2) in which the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the second face 14, to its second configuration (FIG. 4) in which the prong 11 and the loop 12 are displaced relative to the body 10 and protrude from the first face 13, on the one hand by sliding the loop 12 relative to the body 10, and on the other hand by engaging the push button 66 of the actuating mechanism 65 and rotating the prong 11.

[0123] We will now describe, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, how the buckle 3 switches from its second configuration to its first configuration, since the switch from the first configuration to the second configuration is carried out in a similar manner.

[0124] In the second configuration of the buckle 3, the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the first face 13 of the body 10 (FIG. 5).

[0125] The second bridge connector 50 of the loop 12 is housed in the second recess 31, abutting against the wall 32, while the first bridge connector 47 protrudes from the first face 13 of the body 10.

[0126] The actuating mechanism 65 is disengaged and the prong 11 is locked in its first stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the second face 14.

[0127] In particular, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the push button 66 is in its disengaged position in which the push button 66 is positioned generally flush with the upper portion 16 of the contour 15 of the body 10, and the guide pin 67 is at least partially located in the first space 27 of the second cavity 26 and in the through-hole 37 of the base 35 of the prong 11 in the first cavity 25 of the body 10.

[0128] The retractable stop 68 is actuated by the return member 70 and is in its locking position where the retractable stop 68 is partially housed in the notch 38 of the base 35 of the prong.

[0129] The guide pin 27 cooperates with the retractable stop 68 without engaging it against the return member 70.

[0130] FIGS. 6 and 7 clearly show that the guide pin 27 has a length greater than the height of the base 35 of the prong so that it can slide through the through-hole 37.

[0131] FIG. 8 shows that to switch the buckle 3 from its second configuration to its first configuration, the loop 12 must be translated relative to the body 10 in a direction indicated by an arrow opposite the loop, with a view to housing the first bridge connector 47 of the loop 12 in the first recess 30 abutting against the wall 32, and protruding the second bridge connector 50 of the loop 12 from the second face 14 of the body 10 (as in FIG. 2).

[0132] In addition, the prong 11 must be rotated around the body 10 along a direction of rotation indicated by another arrow to the right of FIG. 8.

[0133] To achieve this, the actuating mechanism 65 is engaged so as to release the prong 11 to move it from its first stable position to its second stable position where the prong 11 protrudes from the first face 13.

[0134] In particular, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the push button 66 is in its engaged position in which the push button 66 is pressed into the second cavity 26 of the body 10, and the guide pin 67 protrudes into the second space 28 of the second cavity 26 of the body 10 where it actuates the retractable stop 68 against the return member 70, to disengage the retractable top 68 from the notch 38 to its unlocked position and thus release the base 35 of the prong 11, which can rotate around the guide pin 27.

[0135] When the push button 66 is released, it returns to its disengaged position by the action of the return member 70 on the retractable stop 68 which transmits the movement to the guide pin 27 and therefore to the push button 66.

[0136] More generally, in the buckle 3 of the belt according to the invention, the prong

[0137] 11 and the loop 12 are both movable relative to the body 10 of the buckle 3.

[0138] Indeed, as the prong 11 is movable relative to the body 3 so as to switch from one to the other between the first face 13 and the second face 14 and between the second face 14 and the first face 13, and as the loop 12 is movable relative to the body 10 so as to switch from one to the other between the first face 13 and the second face 14 and between the second face 14 and the first face 13, the loop 3 is thus configured to switch between its first configuration where the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the second face 14 and its second configuration where the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the first face 13.

[0139] Thus, the prong 11 and the loop 12 of the buckle 3 can be positioned protruding from both the first face 13 and the second face 14, i.e. on either side of the body 10 of the buckle 3.

[0140] In other words, it is very easy to move the belt buckle 3 according to the invention from its first configuration where the first face 13 is visible and the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the second face 14, to its second configuration where the second face 14 is visible and the prong 11 and the loop 12 protrude from the first face 13.

[0141] It is therefore very easy to change the appearance of the buckle 3 of the belt according to the invention when the first face 13 of the body 3 has a first pattern and the second face 14 of the body 3 has a second pattern that differs from the first pattern.

[0142] Non-illustrated alternatives are described below.

[0143] The second cavity of the body of the buckle may be provided in the third branch of the body and join the first cavity provided in the first branch of the body, with the actuating mechanism which is partially housed in the third branch.

[0144] The first cavity of the body of the buckle may be provided in the third branch of the body, with the base of the prong thus housed in the third branch of the body.

[0145] The buckle loop may be rotatably mounted around the second branch of the body.

[0146] The first face of the buckle body may have a first pattern and a first shade and the second face of the buckle body may have a second pattern identical to the first pattern and a second shade that differs from the first shade.

[0147] The first face of the buckle body may have a first pattern and a first shade and the second face of the buckle body may have a second pattern that differs from the first pattern and a second shade identical to the first shade.

[0148] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.