GB2099493A - Buckle - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a buckle which is adapted to receive or has releasably attached thereto a golf marker. The golf marker can be in the form of a press stud which can engage with a pair of wires attached, for example, to a central bar of the buckle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Buckle This invention relates to a buckle.

According to the present invention, there is provided a buckle which has releasably attached thereto a golf marker. The marker is preferably in the form of a press stud which releasably engages with part of the buckle. Conveniently, the marker can be engaged between a pair of resilient members, for example wires, attached to a part of the buckle. It is preferred for the marker to be attached to the buckle on a central bar. The bar itself can be shaped so that, when the marker is in position, the appearance resembles that of the golf ball resting on a tee.

A buckle in accordance with the invention can be produced by a die-casting process from, for example, a zinc alloy. A suitable material is the alloy known commercially as "Mazzac". The casting obtained can be metal plated, for example with silver or gold, or given other finishing treatments in order to achieve a desired appearance. The golf marker which engages with the buckle can be made by an suitable process such as casting, moulding, pressing or stamping.

The marker can conveniently be formed from the same material and by the same process as that used to fabricate the rest of the buckle.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric front view of the buckle of this invention with a golf marker attached thereto; FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with the golf marker removed; FIGURE 3 is an isometric rear view of the buckle of Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the central part of the buckle in an incomplete state; FIGURE 5 is an isometric rear view of the golf marker; and FIGURE 6 is an isometric front view of an alternative design of golf marker.

Referring now to the drawings, the buckle is generally rectangular in shape, and comprises a top bar 1, bottom bar 2, side bars 3 and 4, a central bar 5, and a connecting bar 6 by means of which one end of a belt is secured to the buckle.

The side bar 3 carries on its rear surface a hook 7 which, when the buckle is in use, engages with the free end of the belt.

The central bar 5 is constructed so that it can have releasably attached thereto a golf marker 8.

This marker is in the form of a press-stud which is engaged between a pair of resilient wires 9 which are held within the portion 10 of bar 5. As shown in Figure 3, a small circular back plate 11 holds the wires 9 in place with the aid of rivets 12.

The buckle shown in the drawings is produced by a die-casting process from a zinc alloy, for example Mazzac. Figure 4 shows a rear view of the central part of the main casting. This figure shows that the rivets 12 are cast integrally onto the rear surface portion of plate-like part 10. The resilient wires 9 are fitted so as to extend across the recessed area 13, after which the back plate 11 (which has been separately cast) is pressed into place over the rivets 1 2 thus retaining wires 9 in a resilient condition.

As shown in Figure 5, the rear part of the golf marker includes a generally flat annular portion 14 at the centre of which is a raised stud 1 5. The stud has a neck portion 1 6. When the golf marker is fitted to the portion 10 of central bar 5 of the buckle, the stud 1 5 passes between the wires 9, resiliently deforming them until the wires grip neck portion 1 6 of the stud 1 5.

An alternative design of the front portion of a golf marker 8 is shown in Figure 6. Here, instead of having a continuous surface which is marked so as to resemble a golf ball (see Figure 1), the marker has an annular rim 17 which surrounds a central, coloured area 1 8 which may be formed, for example, of a ceramic material.

1. A buckle which is adapted to retain, or has releasably attached thereto, a golf marker.

2. In combination, a buckle which is adapted to receive a golf marker, and a golf marker therefor.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the golf marker is in the form of a press stud which releasably engages with part of the buckle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the buckle includes a pair of resilient wires which are adapted to engage with the stud of the golf marker.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the buckle includes a central bar which is adapted to receive the golf marker.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the golf marker is circular and is patterned so as to resemble a golf ball, and wherein said central bar is shaped so that, when the golf marker is retained in position, the combination of central bar and golf marker has the appearance of a golf ball resting on a tee.

7. A buckle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A buckle and golf marker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Buckle This invention relates to a buckle. According to the present invention, there is provided a buckle which has releasably attached thereto a golf marker. The marker is preferably in the form of a press stud which releasably engages with part of the buckle. Conveniently, the marker can be engaged between a pair of resilient members, for example wires, attached to a part of the buckle. It is preferred for the marker to be attached to the buckle on a central bar. The bar itself can be shaped so that, when the marker is in position, the appearance resembles that of the golf ball resting on a tee. A buckle in accordance with the invention can be produced by a die-casting process from, for example, a zinc alloy. A suitable material is the alloy known commercially as "Mazzac". The casting obtained can be metal plated, for example with silver or gold, or given other finishing treatments in order to achieve a desired appearance. The golf marker which engages with the buckle can be made by an suitable process such as casting, moulding, pressing or stamping. The marker can conveniently be formed from the same material and by the same process as that used to fabricate the rest of the buckle. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric front view of the buckle of this invention with a golf marker attached thereto; FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with the golf marker removed; FIGURE 3 is an isometric rear view of the buckle of Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the central part of the buckle in an incomplete state; FIGURE 5 is an isometric rear view of the golf marker; and FIGURE 6 is an isometric front view of an alternative design of golf marker. Referring now to the drawings, the buckle is generally rectangular in shape, and comprises a top bar 1, bottom bar 2, side bars 3 and 4, a central bar 5, and a connecting bar 6 by means of which one end of a belt is secured to the buckle. The side bar 3 carries on its rear surface a hook 7 which, when the buckle is in use, engages with the free end of the belt. The central bar 5 is constructed so that it can have releasably attached thereto a golf marker 8. This marker is in the form of a press-stud which is engaged between a pair of resilient wires 9 which are held within the portion 10 of bar 5. As shown in Figure 3, a small circular back plate 11 holds the wires 9 in place with the aid of rivets 12. The buckle shown in the drawings is produced by a die-casting process from a zinc alloy, for example Mazzac. Figure 4 shows a rear view of the central part of the main casting. This figure shows that the rivets 12 are cast integrally onto the rear surface portion of plate-like part 10. The resilient wires 9 are fitted so as to extend across the recessed area 13, after which the back plate 11 (which has been separately cast) is pressed into place over the rivets 1 2 thus retaining wires 9 in a resilient condition. As shown in Figure 5, the rear part of the golf marker includes a generally flat annular portion 14 at the centre of which is a raised stud 1 5. The stud has a neck portion 1 6. When the golf marker is fitted to the portion 10 of central bar 5 of the buckle, the stud 1 5 passes between the wires 9, resiliently deforming them until the wires grip neck portion 1 6 of the stud 1 5. An alternative design of the front portion of a golf marker 8 is shown in Figure 6. Here, instead of having a continuous surface which is marked so as to resemble a golf ball (see Figure 1), the marker has an annular rim 17 which surrounds a central, coloured area 1 8 which may be formed, for example, of a ceramic material. CLAIMS

1. A buckle which is adapted to retain, or has releasably attached thereto, a golf marker.

2. In combination, a buckle which is adapted to receive a golf marker, and a golf marker therefor.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the golf marker is in the form of a press stud which releasably engages with part of the buckle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the buckle includes a pair of resilient wires which are adapted to engage with the stud of the golf marker.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the buckle includes a central bar which is adapted to receive the golf marker.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the golf marker is circular and is patterned so as to resemble a golf ball, and wherein said central bar is shaped so that, when the golf marker is retained in position, the combination of central bar and golf marker has the appearance of a golf ball resting on a tee.

7. A buckle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A buckle and golf marker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.