EP2845508B1 - Buckle component - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a buckle member having a Gurtaufnahmeöffnung and a, the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung enclosing frame and a web around which the belt is guided, wherein the web, the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung, in particular completely, is attached to the frame by means of at least one fastening means of the web. Moreover, the invention also relates to a buckle with at least one such buckle component and a method for producing such a buckle component.

Buckle components of this type are basically known in the state for a long time. The bridge serves to allow a belt to be passed around it. The webs can be fixed in position fixed in the frame. However, it is also known, the webs slidably form in the frame as clamping webs to pinch the belt between the frame and web. Generic buckle components are eg from the international design patent DM / 045484, the US 3,584,896 A , of the WO 2013/099590 A1 and the JP 2005 278 735 known.

The object of the invention is to simplify the manufacturing process for such buckle components.

This is inventively achieved by the web is fixed by means of plastic deformation of the web and / or at least one of the fastening means on the frame.

By the invention, a cost-effective and simple way of attaching the web to the frame is achieved. The plastic deformation of the web and / or at least one of the fastening devices can by known means by machine or by hand, then usually with the appropriate tool, be performed. It is preferably a simple cold forming process. The fact that the material of the web and / or the at least one fastening device has been plastically deformed, can usually be detected on the finished product in a simple manner on a section through the plastically deformed part. As a result of the deformation bending lines are usually formed in the plastically formed material, which are known in the prior art means and usually already visually simple and easy to see.

In principle, all known in the prior art materials which after a plastic deformation, in particular after a plastic cold forming, not break and are still stable enough to use to form buckle components according to the invention. Particularly preferred are metals such as e.g. Aluminum. Most preferably it is extruded materials, especially extruded metals such as e.g. Aluminum. Investment casting, continuous casting or rolled sections can also be used as the basis for the components. It is also possible to use composite materials, e.g. to use a plastic and a metal, provided that the component made from it can be plastically deformed accordingly.

After attaching the web to the frame by means of said plastic deformation of the web remains permanently attached in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung. A belt can then be guided around the web in the belt receiving opening in a conventional manner.

The frame can be designed circumferentially closed. But it is also laterally open or not self-contained frame possible, which just then surround the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung apart from the lateral opening in the frame or. This too is to be understood as encompassing the belt receiving opening.

The fastening devices can act frictionally and / or positively, in particular engage the frame. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the fastening device, preferably all fastening devices, has or comprise or consist of a hook-shaped region provided for engagement on the frame. The hook-shaped region could also be designed or designated as a cross-sectionally C- or U-shaped region.

If the web is attached to the frame by plastic deformation of the frame, embodiments e.g. Provide that the frame has a hook-shaped and / or in cross-section U- or C-shaped portion which encloses an opening in which then, for. a front end of the web is arranged. This hook or U- or C-shaped portion of the frame can be formed by inserting the web by forming one of the side walls. The openings of the frame, in which the web then comes to lie, can be a blind hole in cross section.

The web has, in preferred embodiments, a web middle part. This is preferably arranged between the fastening devices. The bridge is conveniently extended. The same applies in preferred embodiments also for the web middle part. This is therefore also preferably elongated. A longitudinal or elongated extent is said to be when the length of the component is significantly greater than, e.g. at least twice as big as its width and height. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the web middle part is plastically deformed in order to fasten the web to the frame.

But just as well or in addition, the one or more hook-shaped areas can be plastically deformed. Preferred embodiments provide that at least one, preferably all, hook-shaped regions, seen in a cross section, have or have a blind-hole-shaped opening in which a partial region of the frame or the web is arranged.

If the blind-hole-shaped openings are part of the hook-shaped regions of the fastening device, then it is expediently provided that the blind-hole-shaped openings are opened in directions facing away from one another. The open entrances of the blind-hole-shaped openings therefore point away from one another in these variants. In the embodiment of the blind-hole-shaped openings on the frame, however, is conveniently provided that they are open towards each other. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the web and the fastening device consists of one piece of at least one continuous material. Preferably, the materials mentioned above are used.

The web can be displaceable in the belt receiving opening, as known per se, in a direction transversely, preferably orthogonally, to its longitudinal extension in order to be used as a clamping web. But it can also be attached to the frame immovable. In the case of an immovable attachment of the web to the frame by means of fastening means may be provided that the region or the areas of the frame on which or engage the fastening means or the fastening means for fixing the web to the frame, preferably channel or groove-shaped, notches, in which the web is held positively with its fastening devices. In the case of a transversely displaceable web, the said regions of the frame in or on which the fastening device or the fastening devices engage are expediently made correspondingly smooth, at least in the region in which the web is to be displaceable.

According to the invention, it is provided that the fastening device or the fastening devices is or are part of the web. The web can be integrally formed with the fastening devices or the fastening device. This can be achieved, for example, if the fastening device or the fastening devices are integrally formed on the web middle part.

However, the web can also be constructed in several parts, it can then in the fastening devices or in the fastening device, for example. to separate, later on the web subsequently fixed clamps or other fasteners act. Conveniently, these are fastened to the web middle part, preferably to the end regions of the web middle part. However, the fastening devices can also initially be completely separate parts from the web.

Particularly simple embodiments of the invention can provide that the buckle component itself is already the entire buckle. However, a buckle can also have a plurality of buckle components, of which at least one is designed according to the invention. In this sense, it can be provided that the buckle component has a connecting element for, preferably lockable, connecting with a corresponding connecting element of another buckle component. It can e.g. be provided that a buckle component is equipped with a male connecting element, which is intended to be inserted in a female connecting element of the other buckle component and preferably locked there. This connection between the buckle components can be secured or locked by means of locking levers, as known per se in the prior art. These locking levers are usually on one of the buckle components slidably or pivotally, usually spring-loaded, attached. In the prior art are basically one-piece or multi-part associated with the buckle locking lever known. All of these known in the prior art variants can also be used in buckle components according to the invention.

If the connecting elements are put together to assemble the buckle components in an insertion direction, then the web can be arranged or fastened in parallel but also orthogonally to the insertion direction on the frame. Other angular positions between plug-in direction and bridge are possible.

In addition to the buckle component according to the invention, the invention also relates to a buckle with at least two buckle components, each having at least one connecting element for, preferably lockable, connecting with a corresponding connecting element of the other of the buckle components, wherein at least one of the buckle components is a buckle component according to the invention.

A method for producing a buckle component according to the invention provides that the web is fixed by means of plastic deformation of the web and / or at least one of the fastening devices on the frame. Further method steps result from the above-mentioned descriptions of the buckle component or the buckle, so that this need not be explained again explicitly.

• Fig. 1 bis 4 eine Schnalle mit einem ersten erfindungsgemäßen Schnallenteil;
• Fig. 5 bis 8 eine andere Schnalle mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Schnallenbauteil;
• Fig. 9 eine zu beiden Ausführungsbeispielen gemäß der Fig. 1 bis 8 passende perspektivische Darstellung;
• Fig. 10 bis 12 Darstellungen zu einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel, das auf dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel aufbaut und
• Fig. 13 bis 15 drei weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsbeispiele, bei denen allerdings die Schnalle aus einem einzigen Schnallenbauteil besteht.

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

• Fig. 1 to 4 a buckle with a first buckle part according to the invention;
• Fig. 5 to 8 another buckle with a buckle component according to the invention;
• Fig. 9 one to both embodiments according to the Fig. 1 to 8 appropriate perspective view;
• 10 to 12 Representations of a third embodiment, which is based on the second embodiment and
• Fig. 13 to 15 three further embodiments of the invention, in which, however, the buckle consists of a single buckle component.

In the Fig. 1 to 4 , So in the first embodiment, it is a variant in which the attachment of the web 4 in the frame 3 one of Fastening means 6 is plastically deformed. Fig. 1 shows a frontal view and Fig. 2 the section along the section line AA Fig. 1. Fig. 3 also shows a frontal view and Fig. 4 the section along the section line BB. In the Fig. 1 and 2 the situation after inserting the web 4 in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 but shown before the plastic deformation of the fastening device 6. The 3 and 4 show the fully assembled web 4 after the plastic deformation of the fastening device. 6

The buckle component 1, in which the web 4 is secured in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 according to the invention by plastic deformation of the frame 3, is part of the buckle 11. The buckle member 1 is thus connected to the buckle member 12 so as to form the buckle 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the buckle component 1 in accordance with the sectional view according to Fig. 11 a male connecting element 13, which is inserted to connect the two buckle components 1 and 12 in the female connecting element 14 of the buckle member 12. A locking takes place via the locking lever 18, which in the in Fig. 11 shown position behind the shoulders 23 and thus prevent withdrawal of the male buckle member 1 from the female buckle member 12. The locking lever 18 are pivotable about the pivot axes 22 and biased by the biasing spring 21 each in the locking position. To release, as is known per se, the locking lever 18 must be pressed in order to be able to pull the male connecting element 13 out of the female connecting element 14 so as to separate the two buckle components 1 and 12. The further buckle component 12 has in the illustrated embodiment, a Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 19 through which a belt 5 passed or in which a belt 5 can be attached. All this is known per se, for example from the buckles shown in the aforementioned design. Further explanations on this can therefore be omitted. It is merely pointed out that, of course, an inventive embodiment of a buckle component 1 could also be equipped as a female buckle component with corresponding female connecting elements 14. In addition, the invention is also on buckles completely without fasteners, as in the Fig. 13 to 15 shown, as well as other buckles and buckle components, in particular with other fasteners and locking elements applicable.

Coming back to the first embodiment will now be in detail, first on the situation according to Fig. 2 , So on the situation before the plastic deformation of the fastening device 6, referenced. The web 4 is already in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2, which he traverses. The fastening device 7 is already in engagement with the corresponding region 17 of the frame 3. The region 17 of the frame 3 is arranged in the opening 10 of the hook-shaped region of the fastening device 7. The fastening device 6 provided on the other side of the web middle part 8, on the other hand, is not yet in its final shape, so that the corresponding region 16 of the frame 3 is not yet arranged in the opening 9 of the fastening device 6. The attachment of the web 4 on the frame 3 and its areas 16 and 17 is carried out by plastic deformation of the fastening device 6 so far until the position according to Fig. 4 is achieved, in which the transformation is completed and the web 4 according to the belt receiving opening 2 crossing the frame 3 is fixed. In Fig. 4 is good to see that the two openings 9 and 10 are formed in the respective hook-shaped areas of the fastening means 6 and 7 in cross-section blind hole-shaped. In the blind-hole-shaped openings, the areas 16 and 17 of the frame 3 are arranged. The blind hole-shaped openings 9 and 10 open in directions facing away from each other.

As the belt 5 is now guided around the web 4 in the belt receiving opening 2 is in Fig. 1 and 3 not to be seen. This is shown by way of example in the FIGS. 13 and 14 , The lead around the belt 5 to the web 4 in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 can be done in the first embodiment in an analogous manner.

Reference is also made to the fact that the web 4 in the first embodiment in a direction orthogonal to its longitudinal extent so here parallel to Plug-in direction 28 sliding terminal bar is. It can therefore be moved in the assembled state along the areas 16 and 17 of the frame 3 to clamp the belt 5 in a conventional manner to one of the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 delimiting frame walls 15 of the frame 3.

Of course, the bridge 4 does not have to be a displaceable clamping bar. The web 4 can also be arranged in its position fixed to the frame 3 or in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2. For this, e.g. be provided that in the areas 16 or 17 groove, notched or otherwise shaped recesses are provided in which the web 4 and / or the fastening means 6 and 7 engage positively. A corresponding fixation of the web 4 in its position in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2, of course, by a correspondingly tight frictional engagement between the fasteners 6 and 7 and the areas 16 and 17 of the frame 3 and, if necessary. also be realized the bridge 4.

It is favorable in any case if, as also realized here, the web 4 with its, the frame 3 facing outer surfaces rests on the web 4 facing outer surfaces of the frame 3. The web 4 is thus conveniently located on the outside of the frame 3. As a result, the torques occurring by the train on the belt 5 on the web 4 are kept as small as possible.

The second embodiment of the invention according to the Fig. 5 to 8 is similar to the first embodiment over long distances, so that repetition in the general description can be avoided. It will be discussed here only on the differences from the first embodiment. These consist in that in the second embodiment according to the Fig. 5 to 8 for fixing the web 4 on the frame 3 not one of the fastening means 6 or 7 but the ridge middle part 8 is plastically deformed. The FIGS. 5 and 6 again show the state in which the web 4 is already arranged in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2, but the plastic deformation of the attachment of the web 4 on the frame 3 still did not take place. Fig. 6 is the section along the section line CC off Fig. 5. Fig. 7 and 8 show the fully assembled state after the plastic deformation. Fig. 8 is the section along the section DD from Fig. 7 , In Fig. 6 It can be seen particularly well that for introducing the here likewise hook-shaped fastening devices 6 and 7 into the belt receiving opening 2, the web middle part 8 has a bulge or a lateral buckling or is bent. The bulge points in a direction orthogonal or transversely to the longitudinal extension of the web center part 8. By pressing the web middle part 8 in a direction transverse to its longitudinal extent, the plastic deformation process takes place at the end of which the situation according to FIG FIGS. 7 and 8 stands. By means of this plastic forming process, the areas 16 and 17 of the frame 3 come to rest in the cross-section of blind-hole-shaped openings 9 and 10 of the fastening devices 6 and 7.

Also in this second embodiment, the web 4 is mounted after its final assembly as a clamping web in the directions transverse to the longitudinal extent of the web 4 and the web center part 8 slidably mounted on the frame 3. With the already described for the first embodiment means of the web 4 can be fixed in alternative embodiments but also stationary in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 on the frame 3.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a buckle 1, in which the differences between the two embodiments according to the Fig. 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 not to be seen. This perspective view according to Fig. 9 therefore represents both previously described embodiments.

The third embodiment according to the 10 to 12 is based on the second embodiment according to the Fig. 5 to 8 , However, in the third embodiment, in addition, a biasing spring 20 is provided, which serves to press the here as in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 movable clamping bar running web 4 against a frame wall 15, which limiting the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 to one in the 10 to 12 Not shown, belt 3 between the web 4 and this frame wall 15 to clamp. Fig. 10 shows a frontal view of the buckle 11th Fig. 11 shows a horizontal section parallel to the plane of the 10 and FIG. 12 an exploded view, in which the web 4 and the biasing spring 20 are shown removed from the frame 3. In the sectional view according to Fig. 11 If one sees the groove 24 in which the biasing spring 20 is mounted to its support on the frame 3. With the free ends 27, the biasing spring 20 is arranged in the receiving holes 26 provided for this purpose of the web 4. In this way, the biasing spring 20 can build up the desired bias of the web 4 relative to the frame 3.

In all previously described embodiments, the web 4 traverses the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction 28, in which the male connector 13 is inserted into the female connector 14 when the two buckle components 1 and 12 are put together. Of course, this is just an example. The web 4 can also be arranged parallel to the insertion or insertion direction 28 or at a different angle relative thereto in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 on the frame 3. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the frame 3, the web 4 and also the belt receiving opening 2 can, of course, be designed very differently and also deviating from the exemplary embodiments shown.

In the Fig. 13 to 15 Variants of the invention are now shown in which a single buckle component 1 forms the entire buckle 11. There are thus no fasteners 13 or 14 for connection to another buckle component 12 on the buckle component 1. The attachment of the web 4 on the frame 3 in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 is in these embodiments according to the Fig. 13 to 15 but realized as in the previously described embodiments and therefore need not be explained again. Fig. 15 shows a variant analogous to 10 to 12 in which the biasing spring 20 is provided.

In the FIGS. 13 and 14 also the belt 5 is shown, which is guided in the Gurtaufnahmeöffnung 2 around the web 4 around. In an analogous manner, the belt 5 in the above-described embodiments in the, in the FIGS. 13 and 14 be shown variants around the web 4 led around.

Legend to the reference numbers:

1

buckle part

2

belt receiving

3

frame

4

web

5

belt

6

fastening device

7

fastening device

8th

Steg midsection

9

opening

10

opening

11

buckle

12

buckle part

13

connecting element

14

connecting element

15

frame wall

16

Area

17

Area

18

locking lever

19

belt receiving

20

biasing spring

21

biasing spring

22

swivel axis

23

shoulder

24

groove

25

Side wall

26

receiving hole

27

free end

28

plug-in direction

Claims (10)

1. A buckle component (1) with a belt receiving opening (2) and a frame (3), surrounding the belt receiving opening (2), and a crosspiece (4) about which the belt (5) can be guided, wherein the crosspiece (4) is secured to the frame (3) by means of at least one securing arrangement (6, 7) of the crosspiece (4) so as to traverse the belt receiving opening (2), in particular completely, characterized in that the crosspiece (4) is secured to the frame (3) by means of plastic deformation of the crosspiece (4) and/or of at least one of the securing arrangements (6, 7).
2. A buckle component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the crosspiece (4) has a crosspiece middle part (8), preferably arranged between the securing arrangements (6, 7).
3. A buckle component (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the crosspiece middle part (8) is oblong and/or is plastically deformed.
4. A buckle component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the securing arrangement (6, 7), preferably all securing arrangements (6, 7), has/have a hook-shaped region for engagement on the frame (3) or consist(s) thereof.
5. A buckle component (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the hook-shaped region is plastically deformed.
6. A buckle component (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one, preferably all of the hook-shaped regions has/have, viewed in cross-section, a blind-hole-shaped opening (9, 10) in which a partial region of the frame (3) is arranged.
7. A buckle component (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the blind-hole-shaped openings (9, 10) are open in directions facing away from one another.
8. A buckle component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the crosspiece (4) and the securing arrangements (6, 7) are single-piece, composed of at least one continuous material, preferably a metal.
9. A buckle (11) with at least two buckle components (1, 12) which each have at least one connecting element (13, 14) for the, preferably lockable, connection to a corresponding connecting element (13, 14) of the other of the buckle components (1, 12), characterized in that at least one of the buckle components (1) is a buckle component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A method of producing a buckle component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the crosspiece (4) is secured to the frame (3) by means of plastic deformation of the crosspiece (4) and/or of at least one of the securing arrangements (6, 7).

Images