GB1591101A

GB1591101A - Tensioning buckles

Info

Publication number: GB1591101A
Application number: GB2397676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DIXON BATE Ltd
Current assignee: DIXON BATE Ltd
Priority date: 1977-09-12
Filing date: 1977-09-12
Publication date: 1981-06-17

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TENSIONING BUCKLES (71) We, B. DIXON-BATE LIMITED, a British Company of Chester, CH3 SNA, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a tensioning buckle for use with webbing in, for example, load securetnent.

According to the present invention there is provided a tensioning buckle for use with webbing comprises a first frame member of channel configuration, a second frame member also of channel configuration pivoted to the first frame member and receivable within the channel of the latter, the channels of both frame members facing one another, and a latching plate supported in one side of the first frame member and extending across the channel and out through a slot in the other side and being spring-urged releasably to engage in a recess in a side of the second frame member when the latter lies within the channel of the first frame member.

Preferably, the latching plate is pivoted to one side of the first frame member and is spring-urged into the buckle-fastened position.

Alternatively, it is slidably supported in the sides of the first frame member and is springurged into the buckle-fastened position.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tensioning buckle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of one of the frame members in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tensioning buckle showing threading of the webbing; Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional detail view of a modification; Figure 5 is a part-sectional view of an alternative first frame member; Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of the other side of the first frame member of Figure 5; Figures 7 to 7B are respectively a fragmentary plan view of an alternative second frame member for use with the first frame member of Figures 5 and 6, and fragmentary side views in the directions of arrow A and B of Figure 7;; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative latching plate for use with the alternative frame members.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, the tensioning buckle is made of, for example, ordinary or stainless steel or an aluminium alloy and comprises first and second frame members 21 and 20 respectively and a latching plate 22. The buckle is designed for use with two separate lengths 23, 24 of webbing (see Figure 3), one of which (23) is fastened to the frame member 21 of the buckle whilst the other (24) is threaded around the frame member 20 and thereby held between the frame members 20, 21 (see Figure 3) when the buckle is fastened. In use this webbing 24 is tensioned and released as required, whilst remaining permanently threaded through the buckle.

The frame members 20, 21 are rectangular and of channel section, the member 20 being of smaller width so that it can be inverted with respect to the member 21 and fitted therein.

The two frame members 20, 21 are pivotally attached together by a pin 25 passing transversely through holes 26, 27 in the frame members' sides respectively. In the face of the frame member 20 there is a transverse rectangular cut-out or slot 28 through which the webbing 24 can pass and the edge against which the webbing bears is inwardly arcuate of the buckle as indicated at 29 so that the webbing 24 is not chafed. The face of the member 20 is also cut-away at its pivoted end as indicated at 30 so that the two sides 31 of the member 20 project beyond the edge of its face leaving a gap between the pivot pin 25 and the edge of the face through which the webbing 24 can be passed,between the frame members 20, 21.

The sides 31 of the member 20 at their ends remote from the pivot pin 25 are cut-away to accommodate the latching plate 22. The cutaway portions of the sides 31 include at one side a cut-out 32 for free passage of the latching plate 22 and at the other side an indented recess 33 into which the latching plate is engaged to hold the member 20 inside the member 21 and hence keep the buckle fastened.

The member 20 has a tail 34 for a purpose to be described later.

The latching plate 22 is pivotally engaged in a cut-out 35 in one side 36 of the frame member 21 and passes transversely across the member 21 and through a slot 37 in the opposite side 36. A hairpin spring 38 is wound around a nib 39 in the cut-out 35 and a tail 40 of the spring 38 is retained in a hole 41 near the edge of the plate 22 which is thereby retained in the frame member 21 and also urged into a buckle-fastened position. The end of the plate 22 which projects through slot 37 is formed into a thumb push 42 and the buckle is unfastened by pushing the plate 22 against the action of the spring 38 in the direction of arrow "C" (Figure 3) to disengage the plate 22 from the indented recess 33 in the frame member 20 which can then be pivoted away from the frame member 21.

The frame member 21 is longer than the frame member 20 and its face adjacent the latching plate 22 is cut away as indicated at 43 so that the tensioned end of the webbing 24 can be passed into one end of the buckle. At the other end of the frame member 21 is another transverse pin 44 around which the other length 23 of the webbing can be looped and secured to itself. Another transverse slot 45 is made in the end of the frame member 21, and the length 23 of webbing can alternatively be looped and secured round the bar 46 thus formed.

In use, the buckle has two lengths 23, 24 of webbing attached to it. The length 23 is looped around the frame member 21 and secured to itself as described; the other end of this length passes over the load and is secured to a rigid attachment (not shown). The other length of webbing 24 has one end 24A secured to a rigid attachment (not shown) and a free end or tail 24B.

Starting from secured end 24A, the length 24 of webbing passes under the face of frame member 21, thorugh cut-out 43, around pivot pin 25 and thence around edge 29 back around pivot pin 25 and out of frame member 21 over the face thereof to provide the free end or tail 24B on which an operator pulls to tension the webbing. The buckle is now fastened by pivoting the frame member 20 into the frame member 21 where it is automatically retained by the spring loaded latching plate 22. The webbing is, therefore, pulled and held under tension, slippage being prevented by the frictional engagement of the adjacent faces of the webbing 24 passing around the pivot pin 25. Also, as the webbing 23, 24 covers both ends of the underside of the frame member 21 when 23 is looped round 46, the buckle is prevented from rubbing against and possibly damaging the load.

The sides 36 of frame member 21 have apertures 47 for passage of a security cable or wire which thus overlies the tail 34 to prevent movement of frame member 20 out of the frame member 21.

In Figure 4 is shown a modification providing greater strength and greater webbing takeup than the buckle of Figures 1 to 3. Like parts are referred to by the same reference with the addition of suffix "D". The webbing 24D, in this instance, is passed round a second pin 48 adjacent pivot pin 25D and the space between these two pins is filled in by, for example, an extruded aluminium strengthening block 49.

This block 49 gives extra strength to the pins 25D, 48 around which the tensioned webbing 24D passes although the block 49 need not be fixed to either pin but retained by virtue of two concave faces in which the pins are seated.

Reference is now made to the alternative tensioning buckle construction of Figures 5 to 8.

This buckle is essentially the same as that illustrated by and described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and accordingly like parts are referred to by the same references with the suffix "E".

The webbing 23E is looped and secured around a bar 46E of frame member 21E, which bar 46E has a radiussed or arcuate end 50 to prevent abrasion of the webbing 23E. Provision is made in sides 36E at 51 and 52 to accommodate the pivot pin and its adjacent pin, if required, (both not shown). Apertures 47 for the security wire or cable are omitted and the cut-out 35E and slot 37E to accommodate the latching plate 22E (Figure 8) are nearer to the end of frame member 21E.

The thumb push 42E is central of the latching plate 22E.

The frame member 20E has at its end remote from the pivot pin a cut-out 52 to facilitate manipulation thereof.

In a modification, applicable to any of the tensioning buckles described hereinbefore, the latching plate 22 projects through both sides of the frame member 21, cut-out 35 being extended to permit this projection and both sides 31 of the frame member 20 have indented recesses 33 to receive the ends of the latching plate 22 which is slidably mounted and which is suitably spring loaded normally to engage in the recesses 33 to fasten the buckle. The buckle is released or opened by pushing on the latching plate.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A tensioning buckle for use with webbing comprising a first frame member of channel configuration, a second frame member also of channel configuration pivoted to the first frame member and receivable within the channel of the latter, the channels of both frame members facing one another, and a latching plate supported in one side of the first frame member and extending across the channel and out through a slot in the other side and being spring-urged releasably to engage in a recess in a side of the second frame member when the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. member 21 and hence keep the buckle fastened. The member 20 has a tail 34 for a purpose to be described later. The latching plate 22 is pivotally engaged in a cut-out 35 in one side 36 of the frame member 21 and passes transversely across the member 21 and through a slot 37 in the opposite side 36. A hairpin spring 38 is wound around a nib 39 in the cut-out 35 and a tail 40 of the spring 38 is retained in a hole 41 near the edge of the plate 22 which is thereby retained in the frame member 21 and also urged into a buckle-fastened position. The end of the plate 22 which projects through slot 37 is formed into a thumb push 42 and the buckle is unfastened by pushing the plate 22 against the action of the spring 38 in the direction of arrow "C" (Figure 3) to disengage the plate 22 from the indented recess 33 in the frame member 20 which can then be pivoted away from the frame member 21. The frame member 21 is longer than the frame member 20 and its face adjacent the latching plate 22 is cut away as indicated at 43 so that the tensioned end of the webbing 24 can be passed into one end of the buckle. At the other end of the frame member 21 is another transverse pin 44 around which the other length 23 of the webbing can be looped and secured to itself. Another transverse slot 45 is made in the end of the frame member 21, and the length 23 of webbing can alternatively be looped and secured round the bar 46 thus formed. In use, the buckle has two lengths 23, 24 of webbing attached to it. The length 23 is looped around the frame member 21 and secured to itself as described; the other end of this length passes over the load and is secured to a rigid attachment (not shown). The other length of webbing 24 has one end 24A secured to a rigid attachment (not shown) and a free end or tail 24B. Starting from secured end 24A, the length 24 of webbing passes under the face of frame member 21, thorugh cut-out 43, around pivot pin 25 and thence around edge 29 back around pivot pin 25 and out of frame member 21 over the face thereof to provide the free end or tail 24B on which an operator pulls to tension the webbing. The buckle is now fastened by pivoting the frame member 20 into the frame member 21 where it is automatically retained by the spring loaded latching plate 22. The webbing is, therefore, pulled and held under tension, slippage being prevented by the frictional engagement of the adjacent faces of the webbing 24 passing around the pivot pin 25. Also, as the webbing 23, 24 covers both ends of the underside of the frame member 21 when 23 is looped round 46, the buckle is prevented from rubbing against and possibly damaging the load. The sides 36 of frame member 21 have apertures 47 for passage of a security cable or wire which thus overlies the tail 34 to prevent movement of frame member 20 out of the frame member 21. In Figure 4 is shown a modification providing greater strength and greater webbing takeup than the buckle of Figures 1 to 3. Like parts are referred to by the same reference with the addition of suffix "D". The webbing 24D, in this instance, is passed round a second pin 48 adjacent pivot pin 25D and the space between these two pins is filled in by, for example, an extruded aluminium strengthening block 49. This block 49 gives extra strength to the pins 25D, 48 around which the tensioned webbing 24D passes although the block 49 need not be fixed to either pin but retained by virtue of two concave faces in which the pins are seated. Reference is now made to the alternative tensioning buckle construction of Figures 5 to 8. This buckle is essentially the same as that illustrated by and described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and accordingly like parts are referred to by the same references with the suffix "E". The webbing 23E is looped and secured around a bar 46E of frame member 21E, which bar 46E has a radiussed or arcuate end 50 to prevent abrasion of the webbing 23E. Provision is made in sides 36E at 51 and 52 to accommodate the pivot pin and its adjacent pin, if required, (both not shown). Apertures 47 for the security wire or cable are omitted and the cut-out 35E and slot 37E to accommodate the latching plate 22E (Figure 8) are nearer to the end of frame member 21E. The thumb push 42E is central of the latching plate 22E. The frame member 20E has at its end remote from the pivot pin a cut-out 52 to facilitate manipulation thereof. In a modification, applicable to any of the tensioning buckles described hereinbefore, the latching plate 22 projects through both sides of the frame member 21, cut-out 35 being extended to permit this projection and both sides 31 of the frame member 20 have indented recesses 33 to receive the ends of the latching plate 22 which is slidably mounted and which is suitably spring loaded normally to engage in the recesses 33 to fasten the buckle. The buckle is released or opened by pushing on the latching plate. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A tensioning buckle for use with webbing comprising a first frame member of channel configuration, a second frame member also of channel configuration pivoted to the first frame member and receivable within the channel of the latter, the channels of both frame members facing one another, and a latching plate supported in one side of the first frame member and extending across the channel and out through a slot in the other side and being spring-urged releasably to engage in a recess in a side of the second frame member when the

latter lies within the channel of the first frame member.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 in which the latching plate is pivoted to the one side of the first frame member.

3. A buckle as claimed in claim 1, in which the latching plate is slidably supported in both sides of the first frame member and extends out through slots therein.

4. A buckle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a pivot pin interconnects the first and second frame members through the intermediary of the sides thereof.

5. A buckle as claimed in claim 4 in which the second frame member has a cross bar around which can be looped a length of webbing from passage around the pivot pin or another pin adjacent thereto.

6. A buckle as claimed in claim 5 in which the sides of the first frame member are interconnected by a rod or bar around which can be looped another length of webbing.

7. A buckle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the sides of the first frame member are apertured to receive a security cable or wire while the free end of the second frame member has a tail which is adapted to lie under such security cable or wire thus to ensure that the second frame member cannot be moved out of the first frame member.

8. A tensioning buckle for use with webbing, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 5 to 8 or Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 5 to 8 as modified by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.