EP1875823A1 - Buckles with two separable parts for fixing a V-shaped strap and its use for fastening a safety helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

The buckle has two detachable buckle parts (1, 2) in which one buckle part (1) includes a transversal edge (8) around which a V-shaped strap is passed for changing of direction. A guiding unit guides the strap in an inclined direction. The buckle part (1) has two anti-tilting elements e.g. retaining lugs (6), for retaining the strap and mutually inclined with respect to each other. A free space (9) defined between the transversal edge and elements passes and permits mutual contact of two strands (3a, 3b) of the strap by their respective surfaces, before and after the changing of direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a detachable two-part buckle for attaching a V-strap to at least one side of the buckle and to the use of such a buckle for securing a helmet chinstrap. protection, for example for cyclists.

The detachable two-piece loops, generally made of synthetic material, are frequently used to connect two parts of a garment or carrying bag by means of a strap or like connecting element. Each of the parts of the two-part loop is attached to the end of a strap by a fastening means which generally comprises one or more friction ridges around which the end of the strap can be passed to secure it by friction.

Loops in two detachable parts generally have elastic latching means on each of the loop portions to cooperate with each other in the coupling position, in which position the two straps are joined through the loop. To open the loop by detaching the two loop parts, means are then provided on which it is possible to act manually to deform the elastic elements causing the release of the latching means and thus allowing the opening of the loop by a pull on the two detachable parts.

We can refer for example to the patent application British GB 2,138,879 which shows a loop in two detachable parts in which the actuating means for opening the loop comprise elastic side arms provided on the female part of a loop which furthermore comprises a male part.

Although the attachment of the strap ends on each of the parts of such a loop is generally along the axis longitudinal of the loop, it may be necessary in some applications to provide a V-shaped arrangement of a strap attached to a detachable loop portion.

This is how according to the patent US 5,584,106 a male part of a detachable two-part buckle has been provided for the fastening of a cyclist's helmet strap, which comprises a transverse friction bar associated with an arched bar for the V-shaped connection of the two strands of the helmet. a strap whose ends are attached to one side of the helmet. In this way, the two strands in V can pass on both sides of the ear of the user of the helmet. The attachment is completed by a strap chinstrap at the end of which is fixed the female part of the loop in two parts. In this embodiment, however, nothing is provided to ensure correct guidance of the two strands of the V-shaped strap. In addition, the simple passage of strap around a friction bar does not in practice make it possible to obtain a sufficiently secure resistant. Finally, the loop as described in this document, has significant longitudinal dimensions which is a disadvantage for the use provided on a protective helmet whose chinstrap must be of reduced length.

It is also known from the patent application French 2 690 608 a fastening loop for chinstrap of a helmet for protection comprising means V fixing two strands of a strap. The loop described in this document has a hollow button-shaped female portion having an internal partition wall that defines two separate staged compartments. One of these compartments is to the insertion of a cooperating male part snap-fastening with the female part while the other compartment comprises means of V-crisscrossing of the two strands of a strap. These interlacing means are constituted by a transverse spacer and an inclined slot placed on one side of the female part.

This results in insufficient guidance of the two strands of the strap and a fastener whose resistance may also be insufficient, each of the strands of the strap can easily slide to the extent that the surface of the strap is in contact with the synthetic material constituting the loop.

It is also known from the patent application French 2,861,961 a belt deflection device which can be used in harnessing and strapping systems and which makes it possible to cause a strap to change direction by turning it flat in a plastic housing which includes side slots.

The PCT patent application WO 89/01744 discloses a protective helmet provided with holding straps through an adjustment device which is associated with a separate element constituting a locking device. Two straps may pass through slits provided in the adjustment device, but the straps may be retained only if the locking device is used in association with the adjustment device. Such a device with three separate parts intended to cooperate with each other via the straps themselves, is of complex structure and unsatisfactory operation for the user.

The patent application European EP 0 302 211 describes a protective helmet with straps arranged laterally and a chinstrap. The straps are connected to the chinstrap via a rigid element of flat structure provided with slots arranged in a triangle. Such a device can not be compared to a two-part detachable loop.

The patent application British GB 2 180 293 discloses a strap connection device which has, on each of its sides, a main opening in the shape of a circular segment delimited by a transverse bar. A second slot is also provided to allow the passage of a strap through the main opening and the slot. Nothing prevents the portions of straps thus mounted can tilt on both sides relative to the plane of the connection device.

The present invention aims to improve the structure of a loop in two detachable parts for fixing a V-strap.

The present invention is intended in particular to improve the strength of the binding by increasing the friction of the two V-shaped strands of the strap during their passage through a portion of the loop.

The invention also relates to a loop of reduced dimensions and in which the attachment of the straps is such that any tilting of the loop outside the traction plane of the straps is prevented.

Finally, the invention also relates to such a loop which is particularly suitable for use in contact with the skin, the attachment being such that the contact is made via the strap, generally made of textile material.

Thanks to such a loop, the invention allows an effective attachment of a safety helmet jug, especially for cyclist.

In one embodiment, a loop includes two detachable portions for attaching a V-strap at least to one side of the loop. At least one of the loop portions comprises a transverse edge around which a strap can be passed for a change of direction and means for guiding the strap in an inclined direction. Said loop part comprises two anti-tilt strap retaining elements, mutually inclined with respect to each other and arranged so as to define between them and the aforesaid transverse edge, a free space adapted for the passage and the mutual contact, by their respective surfaces, of the two strands of the strap, before and after the change of direction.

The two strands of the strap are thus suitably fixed in the loop part, passing around the transverse edge while being held by the anti-tilt elements which prevent the buckle from tilting and keep it on the contrary in the traction plane. of the strap.

In addition, the friction of the two strands of the strap one over the other in the space between the anti-tilt retaining elements and the transverse edge, increases the tear resistance and improves the fixation of the loop.

The two strap retaining elements and the transverse edge are preferably arranged in the same plane constituting one of the main faces of said loop portion.

The two strap retaining elements are advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the loop so as to facilitate the insertion of a strap end into the loop portion, this insertion can then be done since either side of the loop part.

The strap retainers preferably each comprise a guide slot and a retaining bar. In this way, both strands of the strap are perfectly guided and held in a proper direction on either side of the loop.

Each guide slot may be delimited by a retaining bar and a plan portion of the considered loop portion.

In another embodiment, the strap retaining members comprise at least one lateral guiding zone and a retaining bar. In this way, the strap portions are perfectly guided as they pass through the loop portion in question. Preferably, two lateral guide zones are provided.

In this embodiment, the loop portion advantageously comprises two anti-friction tongues mounted cantilever and integral with the inner bottom of said loop portion. Such a cantilevered assembly makes it possible to provide a certain flexibility for these anti-friction tongues which also prevent the other part of the buckle from exerting a friction effect which can lead to wear of the straps when said other part of the buckle is associated with the first.

Still in this embodiment, the outer edge of the two antifriction tabs is preferably set back from the external front edge of said loop portion, so that the other loop portion first comes into contact with contact areas specifically provided on said loop portion even before being able to contact the outer edge of the antifriction tabs. If the anti-friction tongues are provided, for example, in a female part of the buckle, the latter has contact zones which cooperate with means for detenting the male part when the latter is introduced into the female part and this, before any contact with the tongues antifriction. This avoids any risk of damage to the tongues antifriction and penetration of the male part in the female part is facilitated.

In all embodiments, the transverse edge is advantageously disposed on the end of said loop portion which is on the side of the other loop portion when the loop is assembled, so as to reduce the bulk of the loop. whole loop.

In a particular embodiment, said loop portion further comprises a fastening means for an additional strap which can extend inside the V formed by the two strands previously mentioned.

In a typical practical embodiment, the two detachable parts may comprise a female part and a male part. Preferably, the female part may comprise two pivoting external lateral arms as well as latching means capable of cooperating with corresponding means of the male part. The latching means can be released by the user by a clamping action between two fingers, exerted on the side arms.

Such a loop can be used in particular for fixing a protective helmet chin strap. Only part of the loop is then adapted to receive a V strap whose strands pass on either side of the ear of the user of the helmet.

The loop is preferably mounted with the surface of the strap passing around the transverse edge facing the helmet user, so that it is the strap, usually made of textile, which comes in contact with the user's skin and not the synthetic material of the loop.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'une boucle selon un premier mode de réalisation montrant la fixation des sangles, l'ensemble étant vu depuis l'extérieur ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue de la boucle de la figure 1 mais vue depuis l'intérieur ;
• les figures 3a et 3b constituent une vue éclatée montrant les parties mâle et femelle de la boucle selon le premier mode de réalisation sans les sangles de fixation, la boucle étant représentée en élévation ;
• les figures 4a et 4b constituent une vue analogue aux figures 3a et 3b représentant les deux parties de la boucle vues de côté ;
• la figure 5 est une vue prise selon la flèche F de la figure 3a montrant la face d'extrémité de la partie femelle de la boucle ;
• la figure 6 illustre la partie femelle de la boucle avec le montage de la sangle, l'ensemble étant vu depuis l'intérieur ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté correspondant à la figure 4a montrant la partie femelle avec les deux brins en V de la boucle insérés dans ladite partie femelle ;
• la figure 8 correspond à la figure 5 et montre la manière dont les deux brins de la boucle sont insérés dans la partie femelle ;
• les figures 9a et 9b représentent en vue éclatée les parties mâle et femelle d'une boucle selon un deuxième mode de réalisation, sans les sangles de fixation, la boucle étant représentée en élévation ;
• les figures 10a et 10b constituent une vue analogue aux figures 9a et 9b représentant les deux parties de la boucle vue de côté ;
• la figure 11 est une vue prise selon la flèche F de la figure 9a montrant la face d'extrémité de la partie femelle de la boucle ;
• et la figure 12 est une vue en élévation agrandie, montrant la partie femelle partiellement en coupe selon XII-XII de la figure 11, et la partie mâle au début de sa pénétration dans la partie femelle.

The invention will be better understood by studying two embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of a loop according to a first embodiment showing the attachment of the straps, the assembly being viewed from the outside;
• Figure 2 is a similar view of the loop of Figure 1 but seen from the inside;
• Figures 3a and 3b are an exploded view showing the male and female parts of the loop according to the first embodiment without the straps fastening, the loop being shown in elevation;
• Figures 4a and 4b are a view similar to Figures 3a and 3b showing the two parts of the loop sideways;
• Figure 5 is a view taken along the arrow F of Figure 3a showing the end face of the female part of the loop;
• Figure 6 illustrates the female part of the loop with the mounting of the strap, the whole being seen from the inside;
• Figure 7 is a side view corresponding to Figure 4a showing the female part with the two V-shaped strands of the loop inserted in said female part;
• Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 5 and shows how the two strands of the loop are inserted into the female part;
• Figures 9a and 9b show an exploded view of the male and female parts of a loop according to a second embodiment, without the fastening straps, the loop being shown in elevation;
• Figures 10a and 10b are a view similar to Figures 9a and 9b showing the two parts of the loop seen from the side;
• Figure 11 is a view taken along arrow F of Figure 9a showing the end face of the female portion of the loop;
• and Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevational view, showing the female portion partially in section along XII-XII of Fig. 11, and the male portion at the beginning of its penetration into the female portion.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, it is seen that the loop comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a female portion 1 and a male portion 2 which are shown in these figures in the coupled position. A first strap 3 can pass around a transverse edge 8 of the female part 1 so as to change direction. The two strands 3a, 3b of the strap 3 thus form a V on the side of the female part 1. The unrepresented ends of these two strands may for example be attached to a cyclist's helmet, the ear of the user being then framed by the two V-shaped strands 3a and 3b.

Another strap referenced 4 is fixed on the female part 2 in the longitudinal axis XX of the loop constituted by the assembly of parts 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b, we see that the female part 1 has two guide slots 5 capable of passing a strand of the strap 3 and two retaining bars 6 arranged symmetrically with respect to the XX longitudinal axis of the loop and located in a plane which constitutes the rear face of the female loop 1. Each of the slots 5 is delimited by a retaining bar 6 and a plane portion 7 of the female part 1. Between the transverse edge 8, which is defined on a transverse upright 8a of the female part 1, and the two retaining elements 6, is defined a free space 9 adapted for the passage of the two strands 3a, 3b of the strap 3 as one can see it in figure 6.

The strand 3a, in the assembly illustrated in FIG. 6, enters through the slot 5 defined by one of the retaining strips 6 and then passes around the edge 8 and returns inside the space 9 while ironing under the second retaining element 6 through the other slot 5 before emerging as the strand 3b. As seen in Figure 6, the two strands 3a and 3b are in mutual contact with a portion of their respective surface, in the space 9 left free between the two retaining bars 6 and the transverse amount 8a.

The retaining bars 6 are mutually inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis XX. The extreme edges 5a, 5b of the two slots 5 are defined by uprights 10 and 11 of the female part 1 arranged perpendicular to the plane of Figures 3a and 4a. These edges 5a, 5b define guide zones of the two strands 3a and 3b so as to hold them in their V-inclined position as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The passage V of the two strands of the strap 3 in the slots 5 delimited by the retaining bars 6, further prevents any tilting of the female part 1 relative to the traction plane of the strands of the strap 3. The retaining bars 6 therefore have an advantageous anti-tilt effect.

The female buckle portion 1, has, in the example shown, an additional slot 12 defined by a transverse end post 13 located opposite the transverse amount 8a. The slot 12 allows, if desired, to add an additional strap in the axis of the loop. Note that the attachment of the strap 3 on the female part 1, is in particular through the passage on the transverse upright 8a, which is disposed at the longitudinal end of the female part 1, located closest to the male part 2 after coupling of the two loop parts 1 and 2.

To allow the snap-fastening of the male part 2 inside the female part 1, two external pivoting lateral arms 14 are provided on the female part 1. These two arms 14 can pivot by elasticity of the material under the action of manual tightening towards the longitudinal axis XX. The male part 2 comprises elastic latching means 15 provided with hooks 16 which snap inside the female part 1. A lateral thrust action of the pivoting arms 14 makes it possible to rotate the means 15 elastically so as to to allow uncoupling of the male and female parts of the loop.

The male part 2 of the loop further comprises a central guide member 17 which cooperates with an axial rib 18 of the female part 1 for guiding the two loop parts during coupling. The male part also has two transverse uprights 18 and 18a for fastening the strap 4.

It will be noted on examining FIGS. 6 and 7 that the strap 3, which surrounds the transverse upright 8a passing around the edge 8, protrudes slightly outside the rear face of the female part 1. This result is achieved by the fact that the two retaining bars 6 and the transverse amount 8a having the edge 8, are located in the plane of the rear face of the female buckle portion 1. In this way, it avoids the tilting of the buckle during a pull on the strands 3 and 4 after coupling of the two parts of buckle 1 and 2. Indeed, the traction is in the same plane. In addition, if the buckle is used to fasten a helmet chin strap, the contact with the user's face is by the strap 3 generally made of fabric and not by the material constituting the buckle parts which is generally a synthetic material whose contact is unpleasant. This same characteristic can easily be seen in Figure 8.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9a, 9b and following. In this embodiment, the identical elements bear the same references and there is in particular a female portion 1 and a male portion 2 adapted to be coupled to each other. A strap, not shown in FIGS. 9a, 9b, can pass around the transverse edge 8 of the female part 1 thus forming two strands arranged at V on the side of the female part 1. One of the strands 3a is visible on Figure 12. The arrangement of the strap in the coupled loop is similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 which relates to the first embodiment.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 10a and 12, the female portion 1 comprises retaining bars 6 and lateral guide areas for each strand of strap. The strand 3a visible in FIG. 12 is thus guided laterally by a guide zone lateral 20 which is disposed centrally in the bottom of the female part 1. The guidance thus obtained may be sufficient. In the example shown, however, in order to further improve the guidance, there is also provided a second lateral guide zone 21a located on one side of the female part 1. On the other side, the female part 1 comprises another guide zone 21b symmetrical to the guide zone 21a. The lateral guide zone 20 has two inclined guide surfaces 20a and 20b, against which the respective strands 3a and 3b of the strap 3 can come into contact. Likewise, the lateral guide zones 21a and 21b have portions of inclined surface 22a, 22b against which the respective strands 3a and 3b of the strap 3 can come into contact.

The female part 1 further comprises two anti-friction tongues 23 which are mounted cantilevered by being integral with the internal bottom 25 of said female part 1 (see FIG. 12). Each of the antifriction tongues 23 has an outer edge 24 which is set back with respect to the transverse edge 8 of the female part 1.

Apart from these differences, the structure of the loop in this second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment.

By observing FIG. 12, it is seen how the entrance of the male part 2 is made inside the female part 1. The central guide member 17, which has a groove 17a disposed along its longitudinal axis, comes to cooperate with the rib 18 of the female part 1. The elastic snap-fastening means 15 are recessed with respect to the free end of the central guide member 17. In this way, when the guide member 17 is penetrated by at its end, inside the female part 1, the two elastic snap-fastening means 15 are still outside the female part 1. Then, in the position illustrated in FIG. 12, the two locking means Elastics 15 come into contact with the lateral uprights 26. The further penetration of the male part 2 into the female part 1 thus causes the locking means 15 to pivot elastically towards the axis XX. It will be noted that in the position illustrated in Figure 12, the outer edge 24 of the two antifriction tongues 23 can in no way be struck by any part of the male part 2, given the recessed position of these edges 24. In this way, it avoids any risk of deterioration of the tongues antifriction 23.

These anti-friction tabs prevent tilting of the strands of the strap 3 when it was mounted in V in the female part 1. The strands of the strap are perfectly guided by the lateral guide zones 20, 21a and 21b. The strands of the strap each pass between a retaining bar 6 of rigid nature and a flexible antifriction tongue 23, these two elements defining one of the slots 5 for the passage of a strand of strap and further ensuring the guiding of this strand of strap. The slots 5 are nevertheless open towards the outside, that is to say in the direction of the entry zone of the male part 2.

It will also be noted that the central guide member 17 advantageously has a rounded edge 27 as illustrated in FIG. 10b, to facilitate its penetration inside the female part 1.

The two loop parts 1 and 2 may advantageously be made by molding a synthetic material.

Thanks to the particular structure of the female buckle portion 1 of these embodiments, a particularly effective V-strap attachment is obtained, the friction of a portion of the respective surfaces of the two strands 3a and 3b of the strap considerably increasing the slip resistance of the strap 3 in the female buckle portion 1. The particular structure of the female buckle portion 1 which has just been described has, in addition, the advantage of ensuring excellent guidance of the two strands of the strap 3 and maintaining V position of these two strands.

In the illustrated examples, particularly adapted to the attachment of a helmet chin strap, only the female part of the buckle is adapted to the V-shaped passage of a strap. In other embodiments, such a V-shaped passage could be provided also on the male part of the loop. Finally, it is possible that only the male part is equipped with V fixing means.

Although the use of such a loop is particularly suitable for attaching a helmet chin strap, it will be understood that the buckle of the invention can receive many other applications, each time a V-strap attachment proves necessary.

Claims (14)

Loop in two detachable parts for fastening a V-strap at least on one side of the buckle, wherein at least one of the buckle portions (1) comprises a transverse ridge (8) around which a strap can be passed for a change of direction and means for guiding the strap in an inclined direction, characterized in that said loop portion (1) comprises two strap retaining anti-tilt elements (5, 6), mutually inclined. one with respect to the other and arranged so as to define between them and the aforesaid transverse edge (8), a free space (9) adapted for the passage and the mutual contact by their respective surfaces of the two strands of the strap, before and after the change of direction. Buckle according to claim 1 wherein the two strap retaining elements (5, 6) and the transverse edge (8) are arranged in a plane constituting one of the main faces of said loop portion. Buckle according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the two strap retainers are symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the buckle. Buckle according to one of the preceding claims wherein the strap retaining elements each comprise a guide slot (5) and a retaining bar (6). The buckle of claim 4 wherein each guide slot (5) is delimited by a retaining bar and a planar portion of said loop portion. Buckle according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the strap retaining members each comprise at least one lateral guide zone and a retaining bar (6). The buckle of claim 6 wherein the strap retainers each comprise two lateral guide zones (20, 21a, 21b). Buckle according to claims 6 or 7 wherein said loop portion comprises two anti-friction tongues (23) cantilevered integral with the inner bottom (25) of said loop portion (1) and having an outer edge (24) in withdrawal from the outer front edge (8) of said loop portion. Buckle according to one of the preceding claims wherein the transverse edge (8) is disposed on the end of said loop portion which is on the side of the other loop portion (2) when the loop is assembled. Buckle according to one of the preceding claims wherein said loop portion (1) further comprises a fastening means (12, 13) for an additional strap. Buckle according to one of the preceding claims wherein the two detachable parts comprise a female part (1) and a male part (2), the female part comprising two pivoting external lateral arms (14) and latching means capable of cooperate with corresponding means (15, 16) of the male part, the latching means being released by action on the side arms. Buckle according to claims 8 and 11 taken as a whole in which the female part (1) comprises the two anti-friction tongues (23) and has contact zones (26) capable of cooperating with said means (15) of the part male when introducing the male part into the female part, before any contact with the anti-friction tongues (23). Use of a loop according to one of the preceding claims to the attachment of a helmet chin strap, only part of the loop being adapted to receive a V-strap. Use according to claim 13 wherein the buckle is mounted with the strap surface passing around the transverse edge, facing the helmet user.

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