GB2028944A

GB2028944A - Strap-tensioning Buckle

Info

Publication number: GB2028944A
Application number: GB7834170A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Aeroquip Ltd
Current assignee: Aeroquip Ltd
Priority date: 1978-08-22
Filing date: 1978-08-22
Publication date: 1980-03-12
Also published as: GB2028944B

Abstract

A strap-tensioning buckle has a body 1 to which an end portion of a strap A can be fixedly secured and a handle 5 pivotally mounted on body 1 about which an end portion of a second strap B can be fastened under tension by releasably securing the handle in a position in which the latch on the body engages with a recess 10 on the handle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Strap-tensioning Buckle The present invention relates to a straptensioning buckle and particularly but not exclusively to a buckle for use in the tying down down or securing of cargo.

According to the present invention, we provide a strap-tensioning buckle comprising a body for fixedly holding the end of a strap, a handle about which an end of a second strap can be wound, said handle being pivoted at one of its ends to the body, the body having means to engage with arecess on the handle to releasably fasten said handle against pivoting with respect to the body, the arrangement being such that, in use, an end of a second strap wound about the body and the handle will be under tension when the handle is fastened with respect to the body by said means.

The engagement means may comprise a latch which is movable substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and is preferably movable therealong against the force of a spring fastened on the body.

A buckle embodying the present invention may provide a safe structure, in that the mechanism for releasing the handle from its strap-tensioning position is mounted on the body remote from the path of rotation of the handle, so that upon release there is little or no danger of the handle hitting the operator provided, of course, that the buckle is used in the preferred manner.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, a description is now given by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a strap-tensioning buckle embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view along the line 2-2 of the buckle of Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b are an end view and a plan view respectively of a latch which may be incorporated in the buckle of Figure 1; Figure 4A and 4B are plan and end views respectively of a spring which may be incorporated in the buckle of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a plan view of the handle of the buckle;; The illustrated strap-tensioning buckle embodying the present invention has a body with a latch movably supported thereon in order to secure a handle pivotally mounted on the body in a strap-tensioning position, such that the handle can be readily and simply released from that position without any danger of it hitting the hand of the operator.

Thus the illustrated buckle comprises a body 1 formed of side plates 2 having a plurality of webs 3 and 4 therebetween, web 3 being used as a support for a strap A, the end portion of this strap being wound about web 3 and then secured, by for example stitching. A hole 50 is provided near the front end of each web for alternative attachment of strap A by means of a removable bolt, normally secured with nuts. A sleeve may surround the bolt to reduce strap wear, and increase strength. This arrangement allows rapid replacement of defective straps. A handle 5 is pivotally mounted on body 3 at one of its own ends by a pivot pin 6, the handle 5 being formed of side plates 7 having a plurality of cross pieces 8a and 8b therebetween.

An end portion of a second strap B can readily be threaded through body 1 while handle 5 is in any position in which it is inclined to the longitudinal axis of body 1; preferably strap B passes over web 4, around pivot pin 6 and under crosspiece 8a thereafter returning over crosspiece 8a, around pivot 6, under web 4 and then away from body 1. As handle 5 is moved downwardly towards the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which it lies between side plates 2 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of body 1, the strap B will become progressively tensioned, until finally latch 9 engages in lateral recess 10 in the free end portion of handle 5. The end portion of strap B is now securely, although releasably, held by the buckle between the handle and body. Before and after closing of the buckle, the strap B can be further tensioned by pulling on its free end.

The end portion of strap B can be easily released by moving latch 9 against the force of spring 11 in the direction away from pin 6, until latch 9 disengages from recess 10, so that handle 5 will rotate relative to body 1 about pin 6 to describe path C under the action of the tensioned strap B.

The body 1 and handle 5 each have an aperture 20 in their side plates which apertures 20 co-operate when handle 5 is in the fastened position to permit a locking cable or padlock to be passed therethrough. Thus one or more buckles can be locked for security purposes or to secure the buckle or buckles against inadvertent or accidental release.

Figure 3a and 3b show an end view and plan view respectively of latch 9 which comprises a flat plate portion 13 from the upper surface of which, from one of its edges, there extends, substantially perpendicularly a projection 14 to enable latch 9 to be readily grasped and moved, and two lugs 1 5 transverse to and on the opposite surface of portion 13, these lugs engaging with spring 1 The projection 14 and lugs 1 5 are formed by bending the plate from which portion 1 3 is made. Portion 1 3 has two lateral flanges 21 which pass through elongate apertures 12 in side plates 2 to hold latch 9 on body 1.

Spring 11 is shown in plan and end views in Figures 4A and 4B respectively and has a straight shoulder 1 6 to engage with lugs 1 5 and bentover ends 1 7 which are accommodated in slots 1 9 in body 1 to ensure that spring 11 is securely mounted thereon.

The illustrated buckle therefore has a release mechanism which is located on the body 1 of the buckle, and can be activated without danger of causing damage to the person operating it.

Moreover this mechanism is easily and quickly operated.

Claims

1. A strap-tensioning buckle comprising a body for fixedly holding the end of a strap, a handle about which an end of a second strap can be wound, said handle being pivoted at one of its ends to the body, the body having means to engage with a recess on the handle to releasably fasten said handle against pivoting with respect to the body, the arrangement being such that, in use, an end of a second strap wound about the body and the handle will be under tension when the handle is fastened with respect to the body by said means.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprises a latch which is movable substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body.

3. A buckle according to claim 2, wherein the latch is movable against a spring mounted on the body.

4. A buckle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises two side plates having at least two webs therebetween, of which one web forms a support to which an end portion of the first mentioned strap is, in use, fixedly attached.

5. A buckle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the latch comprises a flat portion from the end of one surface of which there extends a projection to facilitate operation of the latch and two lugs extending transversely to and on the opposite surface of said flat portion and engaging the or a spring.

6. A buckle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the spring has at least one bent-over free end, which is located in a corresponding aperture in the body, to mount the spring thereon.

7. A strap-tensioning buckle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.