EP2627208A1

EP2627208A1 - Buckle

Info

Publication number: EP2627208A1
Application number: EP11773653.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Hörtnagl
Original assignee: ABA Hoertnagl GmbH
Current assignee: ABA Hoertnagl GmbH
Priority date: 2010-10-14
Filing date: 2011-10-07
Publication date: 2013-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-07
Also published as: ES2550772T3; CA2813662A1; WO2012048356A8; AT510489B1; US9198481B2; AT510489A1; EP2627208B1; US20130192033A1; WO2012048356A1; CA2813662C

Abstract

The invention relates to a buckle (1) comprising a first buckle component (2) and comprising at least one second buckle component (3), said first buckle component (2) having at least one latch (4) that can be moved back and forth between a locking position of the latch (4) and an unlocking position of the latch (4). The latch (4) engages behind a locking surface (5) of the second buckle component (3) in the locking position in order to lock the two buckle components (2, 3) with each other in a connected position of the buckle components (2, 3), and the latch (4) can be moved into the unlocking position in order to separate the buckle components (2, 3), the second buckle component (3) having at least one mating latch (6) that can be moved back and forth between a locking position of the mating latch (6) and an unlocking position of the mating latch (6).

Description

buckle

The present invention relates to a buckle with a first buckle member and at least a second buckle member, wherein the first buckle member has at least one latch which is movable between a locking position of the bolt and an unlocking position of the bolt back and forth, wherein in a connecting position of the buckle components of Latch in its locking position, a locking surface of the second buckle member for locking the two buckle components engages behind each other and the bolt for separating the buckle components in its unlocked position is movable. Buckles of the type mentioned are known today in a variety of embodiments. An example of generic buckles is z. As shown in international sample DM / 045 484. Generic buckles are used in a variety of applications, especially when it comes to releasably connect two straps or bands together. Examples of application areas are mountain sports, occupational safety, etc.

In some of these applications, the buckles must be easy to operate and with as little force as possible in order to separate the buckle components from each other. On the other hand, the buckles when they are in the connecting position, but also withstand large tensile loads in the locking position of the bolt. An unintentional or accidental opening of the connection between the buckle components is to be avoided in many applications necessarily. The object of the invention is to propose in this sense as simple as possible, but at the same time very reliable buckle of the type mentioned above. This is achieved according to the invention in that the second buckle component has at least one counterbolt which can be moved back and forth between a locking position of the counterbolt and an unlocking position of the counterbolt.

A basic idea of the present invention is therefore to provide, in addition to the at least one latch of the first buckle component, at least one counter-latch on the second buckle component, which ensures that in the locking position of the bolt and the counter-bolt, the two buckle components are particularly firmly connected to each other, ie can absorb high tensile forces. Furthermore, this also increases the reliability, since for separating the buckle components from each other, both the bolt and the counter latch in the respective

Unlocking position must be moved. Accidental release of the two buckle components from each other is thereby very unlikely or completely prevented.

In principle, it is conceivable that the first buckle component also has a locking surface, which is engaged behind in the locking position of the counter-bolt. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the counter latch has at least one support surface and, in its locking position with its support surface, locks the or at least one of the latches in its locking position. In other words, in these embodiments, it is thus provided that the support surface of the counter-bolt supports the bolt when both the bolt and the counter-bolt are in the respective locking position, so that the bolt no longer engages in it

Unlocking position can be moved. In these embodiments, the counter latch must then be brought first or at least simultaneously with the latch from its locking position to its unlocked position, so that the latch can be moved to its unlocked position. Only when the latch and counter latch are both actuated appropriately can the buckle components be separated. For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that even if in the claims of the bolt and the counter latch in places only in the singular is mentioned, a variety of embodiments are conceivable. The first buckle component but one or more, such. B. have two, four or six bars of the type described. The same applies to the second buckle component. This may also have one, but also two or more counter-locking bars, which function in the manner described or interact with one or more latches of the first buckle component.

The connection position of the buckle components is understood to mean the position in which the buckle components have been brought into contact with one another and / or in contact with one another in such a way that the bolt can be brought into its locking position or, if it is not, in particular by external forces, is held automatically. The fact that the

Buckle components are in this connection position, but says nothing about the actual position of the bolt and / or the counter-bolt. Both can be in corresponding embodiments in the connection position of the buckle components both in their locking position and in their

Unlocking position are located. Conveniently, however, it is provided that the

Latch and / or the counter bolt is biased or are and in the connecting position of the buckle components automatically occupies the, preferably respective, locking position or occupy, unless he or she is prevented, in particular by externally acting forces, or be.

The locking position of the bolt is the position in which this engages behind the associated locking surface of the second buckle component. The unlocking position of the bolt is the position in which the bolt releases the locking surface of the second buckle component. So that the buckle components can be separated from each other, the bolt or must all

Latch of the first buckle component thus located in the unlocked position. The locking position of the counter-bolt is the position in which the counter-bolt gel the latch locked in its locking position or engages behind a corresponding locking surface of the first buckle component. The

Unlocking position of the counter-bolt is in each case the position in which he releases the said components. The engaging behind the respective buckle component with latch and / or counter latch as well as the locking of the bolt in its locking position by means of the support surface of the counter-bolt is advantageously carried out via a corresponding positive connection. The term of grasping is in its most general version in the sense of fix or to understand to understand. In general, the buckle components are formed so that one of the buckle components has a male, outwardly projecting extension, with which it engages or is inserted into a corresponding exception of the other buckle component in the connecting position of the two buckle components. In this sense, it is customary to speak of a male and a female buckle component. However, mixed forms are also conceivable in the invention, in which both

Buckle components corresponding projections and recesses, with which they then engage each other in the connecting position.

In preferred embodiments, it is provided that the first buckle component has at least one elastic return element, which biases the bolt in the direction of its locking position. The same applies favorably also for the second buckle component or the counter bolt. Here, too, is thus

Conveniently provided that the second buckle component has at least one elastic return element, which biases the counter latch in the direction of its locking position. The reset elements are each conveniently designed so that they, as soon as bolt and / or counter latch are released, move them back by means of their elastic restoring forces back into the respective locking position. The elastic return elements can be designed very differently. These may be springs, in particular coil springs, leaf springs or the like, but also bodies made of elastomer, for example rubber rings, just to name a few examples. But the elastic return elements can also be integrated directly into the bars and / or the counter latch by correspondingly elastically formed regions in the respective bar and / or counter latch are present or they are each completely elastic. The bolt is conveniently movable in or on a housing of the first buckle component, preferably pivotally mounted. The counter latch, however, is conveniently movable in or on a housing of the second buckle component, preferably displaceable, stored. Particularly preferred embodiments provide that the counter latch between its locking position and its unlocked position is displaced back and forth, while the bolt

conveniently between its locking position and his

Unlocked position is pivotable back and forth. The latch can z. B. be pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, be inherently rigid component. Alternatively and / or in addition, however, it is also conceivable that the bolt is an elastically bendable component in itself, so z. B. is in the form of a spring tongue or has such.

In the connecting position of the buckle members should both bar and counter latch can be conveniently brought by manual operation from the outside of its locking position in the respective unlocked position. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide for this purpose that a housing of the buckle, preferably the second buckle component, at least one, preferably common, externally accessible engagement opening and the bolt and / or the counter bolt, preferably each before, at least one actuating surface has or wherein the actuating surface or the actuating surfaces in the connecting position of the buckle components and in the locking position of the bolt and / or the counter-bolt from the outside through the engagement opening by hand is operable. It is basically conceivable that a separate engagement opening is provided for bolt and counter latch or for each bolt and each counter latch. However, preferred embodiments provide common engagement openings through which at least one latch and, conveniently, at least one counter latch are simultaneously accessible or actuatable from the outside by hand. Embodiments of the invention are possible in which the first buckle component has at least two, preferably at least four, latches that are pivotably mounted in at least two different, preferably normal, pivot planes.

Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the figures. Show it:

Figures 1 to 7 representations of a first embodiment of the invention Ausführungsbeii-;

8 to 14 representations of a second embodiment of the invention;

15 to 25 representations of a third embodiment according to the invention.

1 shows a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of a buckle 1. The two buckle components 2 and 3 are located in FIG. 1 as well as in FIGS. 2 to 5 in their connecting position. 2 and 3 show plan views in which both the latch 4 and the counter latch 6 are each in the locked position, whereby the buckle components 2 and 3 can not be separated from each other. In Fig. 3, the cover plate 20 of the housing 1 1 of the second buckle member 3 is removed, so you can see the inside of the position of bar 4 and counter latch 6 better. In FIGS. 4 and 5 are both latch 4 and counter latch 6 in the respective unlocked position. By pulling in the pulling directions 24, the two buckle components 2 and 3 can be pulled apart in these positions of bolt 4 and counter latch 6 and thus separated from each other.

The housing 10 of the first buckle member 2 and the housing 1 1 of the second buckle member 3 as well as latch 4 and counter latch 6 are in this embodiment preferably made of metal, such as aluminum or steel, or metal alloys. Of course, this does not have to be the case, the parts mentioned can also consist at least partly of plastic or other suitable materials.

In the first embodiment according to. 1 to 7 as well as in the other two embodiments, each buckle component on a belt receiving 19, through which a respective belt can be pulled through for attachment to the respective buckle component. In the illustrated variants, it is the simplest form of the belt seat 19. Of course, the belt receivers 19 can also have other embodiments, as they are known per se in the prior art. For example, it is conceivable that the belt receivers 19, as known per se, are designed such that they allow the belt to be fixed or clamped in different positions and thus also an adjustment of the belt. This is z. B. conceivable to provide an additional, parallel to the traction directions shown in Fig. 5 24 movable central web in the respective Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 19, around which a corresponding belt herumgefädelt and can be clamped by appropriate train in the Gurtaufnahme 19.

The operation of the buckle 1 gem. of the first embodiment can best be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. As already stated, the two buckle components 2 and 3 are in both representations in their connecting position in which they are completely inserted into one another. In Fig. 3 are both latch 4 and counter latch 6 in the respective locking position. In Fig. 5 are latch 4 and counter latch 6 in the respective

Unlocking position in which the buckle components 2 and 3 can be separated from each other by pulling apart in the pulling direction 24.

The bars 4 of the first buckle component are in the illustrated embodiment, in themselves rigid components which can be pivoted about their pivot axis 15 between the locking and the unlocked position back and forth. A formed in the form of a rubber ring elastic return element 8 biases the two bars 4 of the first buckle member 2 in the direction of its locking position gem. Fig. 3 before. This is thus achieved that, if the bolt 4 is not by means of appropriate force in their

Unlocked position are pressed, the elastic return element 8 moves them in the direction of the locking position and holds there. The two bars 4 are pivotable in a pivoting plane 16. This pivoting plane 16 falls in the depictions acc. Fig. 3 and 5 with the leaf level together. The pivot axes 15 are normal on this pivoting plane sixteenth

In the locking position shown in FIG. 3, each latch 4 engages behind a locking surface 5 of the second buckle component 3 in a form-fitting manner, so that the buckle components 2 and 3 can not be pulled apart in the pulling direction 24 and thus can not be separated from one another.

According to the invention, at least one counter-latch 6 is now provided in addition to the latches 4. In this embodiment, there are two counter latch. 6

These counter-latches 6 are located in the housing 1 1 of the second buckle component 3. They are mounted parallel to the pulling directions 24 back and forth in the housing 1 1 of the second buckle member 3. The elastic return elements 9, designed here in the form of helical springs, bias the counterbatches 6 in the direction of their locking position shown in FIG. 3. The elastic return elements 9 thus push the counter latch 6 in its locking position, if this is not prevented from the outside by appropriate pressure on the actuating surfaces 14 of the respective counter latch 6. In the first embodiment shown, the counterbatches 6 each have a support surface 7. In the locked position acc. Fig. 3 support the counter latch 6 with their support surfaces 7 each one of the latch 4 from such that the respective latch 4 is locked in its locked position and can not be moved into its unlocked position. As shown, latch 4 and counter latch 6 are in the respective unlocked position. In this, the latch 4 is no longer supported or locked by the respective support surfaces 7 of the counter latch 6. To acc. To the situation Fig. 3 to the situation. Fig. 5 to come, therefore, the counter latch 6, and after their release, the bolt 4 against the force of the respective elastic return elements 8 and 9 in the respective

Unlocking positions are pressed. In the embodiment of the buckle 1 shown in FIG. FIGS. 1 to 7 as well as in the other embodiments by pressing on the respective actuating surfaces 13 and 14 of latch 4 and counter latch 6 done. So that these actuating surfaces 13 and 14 are easily accessible from the outside, they are arranged in pairs in an engagement opening 12 of the second buckle component 3 in the embodiment shown. This allows a two-finger operation by the actuating surfaces 13 and 14 are actuated in each engagement opening 12 with one finger. The actuation of the actuating surfaces 13 and 14 can thus take place simultaneously by means of a single finger. Alternatively, it would of course also be conceivable to provide for each actuating surface 13 and / or 14 a separate engagement opening 12. But you would then need more fingers to unlock the counter latch 6 and the latch 4.

6 and 7 show the first buckle member 2 and the second buckle member 3 in a separate position, but also the latch 4 and counter latch 6 and the respective cover plates 20 of the housing 10 and 1 1 are removed. The extensions 22 with the central recess 23 of the first buckle component 2 and the corresponding central web 21 of the second buckle component 3 can be seen separated from one another in these representations. By interaction of the central web 21 with the extensions 22 or their central recess 23, the two buckle components 2 become when mated together centered.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the first buckle component 2 is thus the male buckle component, while the second buckle component 3 is the female buckle component of this buckle 1. In the second embodiment of the invention acc. 8 to 14 is a buckle 1, in which preferably both the first buckle member 2 and the second buckle member 3 and 4 and locking bar 6 are made of plastic. Of course, this does not necessarily have to be this way either. Of course, the said components may also comprise or consist of metal, metal alloys or other materials. The representations shown in FIGS. 8 to 14 are selected analogously to the representations of FIGS. 1 to 7. 8 to 12 show the two buckle components 2 and 3 respectively in the connecting position. In FIGS. 9 and 10, latch 4 and counter latch 6 are in the respective locking position. In FIGS. 1 1 and 12, the latches 4 and the counter latches 6 are each in the unlocked position. FIGS. 9 and 11 show top views of the buckle 1, FIGS. 10 and 12 show longitudinal sections in which the internal components, that is to say in particular the latches 4 and counter latches 6, can be seen well. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the first buckle component 2 and the second buckle component 3 separated from one another in each case in plan views.

The operation of the buckle 1 gem. of the second embodiment corresponds in its essential features of the operation of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment, so that in the following only on the differences will be entered. The essential difference between the second embodiment and the first exemplary embodiment is that, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 10 and 12, the latches 4 are inherently bendable components. They each have web-like sections which act as elastic return elements 8. In the illustrated embodiment acc. 8 to 14 is the first buckle member 2 to an integrally molded component, preferably made of plastic, in which the latch 4 are integrally formed on the housing 10. The bars 4 are thus formed at least partially in the manner of a bending joint. The pivoting plane 16, in which they can be pivoted, in turn coincides with the leaf level. Fig. 10 and 12 together. In Fig. 12, two fingers are schematically drawn, which have brought by pressing on the respective actuating surfaces 13 and 14, the latch 4, the counter latch 6 in their respective unlocked position. The third embodiment according to the invention. Figs. 15 to 25 is also conveniently designed as a plastic buckle. Thus, both first buckle component 2 and second buckle component 3 as well as latches 4 and also counter latches 6 are preferably made of plastic. Of course, this does not necessarily have to be the case in this embodiment as well. Other materials such. As suitable metals, metal alloys, etc. can be used to realize this type of buckle 1.

The essential difference from the second embodiment acc. of Fig. 8 to 14 according to the third embodiment. 15 to 25 now in that not only two pivotable in a common pivoting plane 16 latch 4, but a total of 6 bars 4 are provided on the first buckle member 2, which moreover not in a single, but in two, here orthogonal to each other , Pan levels 16 and 17, as shown in Fig. 24, can be pivoted.

FIGS. 15 to 21 again show the two buckle components 2 and 3 of this buckle 1 in the connecting position. In FIGS. 16 to 18, the latches 4 and the counter latches 6 are in the respective locking position. In Figs. 19 to 21, the latch 4 and the counter latch 6 are shown in the respective unlocked position. To transfer from the locking to the unlocking position must, as in the second embodiment and in the first embodiment also, from the outside with the finger in each case on the jointly in the respective engagement opening 12 arranged actuating surfaces 13 and 14 are pressed. FIGS. 16 and 19 each show plan views, FIGS. 17 and 20 each show longitudinal sections, and FIGS. 18 and 21 each show longitudinal sections in sectional planes orthogonal to FIGS. 17 and 20. The sectional planes AA and BB along which the representations according to Figs. 18 and 21 are shown in Figs. 16 and 19 are shown. The sectional plane CC of FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. The sectional plane DD of FIG. 20 is shown in FIG. 21. The elastic return elements 8 of the first buckle member 2 are formed as bending springs in each case 4 as in the second embodiment. All bars 4 are thus at least partially elastically bendable components. 17 and 20 particularly clearly visible latch 4, which are also operable via the engagement in the engagement opening 12 by hand, are pivotable in the pivoting plane 16. The other four bars 4, which can be seen particularly well in FIGS. 18 and 21, are pivotable in the respective pivoting levels 17.

The displaceable against the elastic return elements 9 in their unlocking counter-latch 6 lock in their locking position acc. FIGS. 17 and 18 all six latches 4. The support surfaces 7 used for this purpose are particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 20 and 21. The type of locking of the latch 4 by means of the counter latch 6 in the respective locking position is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Thus, the buckle components 2 and 3 can be separated from each other by pulling in the pulling direction 24, the counter latch 6 must in their

Unlocking be brought position so that the latch 4 of the first buckle member 2 can also be pressed into its unlocked position. To press the latch 4 in its unlocked position, it is sufficient to actuate the two particularly visible in Figs. 17 and 20 latch 4 by means of their actuating surfaces 13. As a result, they are pivoted into the unlocking position shown in Fig. 20. During this pivoting movement into the unlocking position, they press over the transfer surfaces 18, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 23 and 24, but also in accordance with FIGS. 18 and 21 particularly clearly visible latch 4 in the unlocked position. Fig. 21. This interaction of the in the

Swivel plane 16 pivotable latch 4 with the pivoting in the pivoting levels 17 bars 4 is particularly well visible in Fig. 24. From this figure It is also particularly evident that the transfer surfaces 18 are advantageously an interaction of inclined surfaces, so that compression of the outer latches 4 by means of their actuating surfaces 13 parallel to the pivot plane 16 compresses the other latches 4 in the direction parallel to whose pivoting levels 17 follows. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the pivoting plane 16 coincides with the plane of the sheets of FIGS. 17 and 20, and that the pivoting planes 17 coincide with the plane of the sheet. of Fig. 18 and 21 or coincide with planes parallel thereto. In the third embodiment of the invention shown by way of example in FIGS. 15 to 25, it is thus provided that at least one latch 4 pivotable in a first pivot plane 16 has a transfer surface 18 and by pivoting this first latch 4 from its latching position into its unlocked position and by means of the transfer surface 18, at least a second, in a second of the pivot planes 17 pivotable latch 4 is pivotally movable from its locking position into its unlocked position.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show the two buckle components 2 and 3 again in a separate state. In Fig. 23, the bolts 4 are in a position corresponding to the respective locking position when the two components 2 and 3 are in the connecting position. In Fig. 25, the bars 4 are in their respective

Unlocked unlocked position.

L e g e to the reference numbers:

1 buckle

2 first buckle component

3 second buckle component

4 bars

5 locking surface

6 counter latch

7 support surface

8 elastic return element

9 elastic return element

10 housing

1 1 housing

12 engagement opening

13 actuating surface

14 actuating surface

15 pivot axis

16 pivoting plane

17 pivoting plane

18 transfer area

19 belt intake

20 cover plate

21 middle jetty

22 extension

23 central recess

24 pulling direction

Claims

claims

1 . Buckle (1) with a first buckle component (2) and with at least one second buckle component (3), wherein the first buckle component (2) has at least one latch (4) which between a locking position of the bolt (4) and an unlocking position of the bolt (4) is movable back and forth, wherein in a connecting position of the buckle components (2, 3) of the bolt (4) in its locking position, a locking surface (5) of the second buckle member (3) for locking the two buckle members (2, 3) with each other engages behind and the bolt (4) for separating the buckle components (2, 3) in its unlocked position is movable, characterized in that the second buckle member (3) has at least one counter latch (6) which between a locking position of the counter bolt (6) and an unlocked position of the counter-bolt (6) is movable back and forth.

2. buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter latch (6) has at least one support surface (7) and locked in its locking position with its support surface (7) or at least one of the latch (4) in its locking position.

3. buckle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first buckle member (2) has at least one elastic return element (8) which biases the bolt (4) in the direction of its locking position and / or that the second buckle component ( 3) has at least one elastic return element (9), which biases the counter latch (6) in the direction of its locking position.

4. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bolt (4) in or on a housing (10) of the first buckle member (2) movable, preferably pivotable, is stored and / or the counter latch (6) in or on a housing (1 1) of the second buckle member (3) movable, preferably displaceable, is stored.

5. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the counter latch (6) between its locking position and its unlocked position is displaced back and forth.

6. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bolt (4) between its locking position and its unlocked position is pivotable back and forth.

7. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a housing (10, 1 1) of the buckle (1), preferably the second buckle member (3), at least one, preferably common, externally accessible engagement opening (12) and the latch (4) and / or the counter latch (6), preferably each, at least one actuating surface (13, 14) or have, wherein the actuating surface (s) (13, 14) in the connecting position of Buckle components (2, 3) and in the locking position of the bolt (4) and / or the counter-bolt (6) from the outside through the engagement opening (12) is manually operable.

8. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bolt (4) is pivotable about a pivot axis (15) mounted, inherently rigid component or that the bolt (4) is elastically bendable in itself Component is.

9. buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first buckle member (2) at least two, preferably at least four, bar (4) which in at least two different, preferably normal to each other, pivoting planes ( 16, 17) are pivotally mounted. Buckle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one, in a first of the pivot planes (16, 17) pivotable latch (4) has a transfer surface (18) and by pivoting this first bolt (4) of its locking position in the Unlocked position and by means of the Ubertragungsfläche (18) at least a second, in a second of the pivot planes (16, 17) pivotable latch (4) of the locking position in its unlocked position is pivotable.