GB2126649A

GB2126649A - Adjustable strap buckle

Info

Publication number: GB2126649A
Application number: GB08324344A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David F Capolupo
Original assignee: Timex Corp
Current assignee: Timex Group USA Inc
Priority date: 1982-09-15
Filing date: 1983-09-12
Publication date: 1984-03-28
Also published as: GB8324344D0; FR2532826A1

Abstract

A strap buckle especially adapted for attaching a first underlying strap end 19 with adjustment holes 19a to a second overlying strap end 20 with a single hole 20a adapted to receive the buckle tongue 17. The tongue 17 is pivotably connected to a raised U- shaped mounting 16a on a transverse member 15 in the centre of the buckle which has a height substantially the same as the underlying strap thickness. The adjustment holes accommodate the U-shaped mounting together with the pivotable tongue connection 17a. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable strap buckle Buckles for straps are well known in the art.

Ordinarily, one end of the strap is folded around a straight centre transverse member and secured, the transverse member also pivotably supporting the tongue of the buckle which extended through a hole in the strap. The second or overlying end of the strap usually contains a number of adjustment holes. This end of the strap is inserted beneath a keeper bar and the tongue of the buckle inserted through one of the holes. Then the end of the strap is either inserted into a keeper loop on the strap or, in some cases, beneath a second keeper bar on the other side of the buckle.

The disadvantages with this well-known type of construction are that the adjustment holes are on the exposed side of the strap. If more than one of the adjustment holes is customarily used, the exposed end of the strap becomes unsightly. The strap must be of a length to provide for the largest user. Therefore there is an excess of strap material protruding beyond the keeper, the excess being unsightly, troublesome and tending to catch on objects. Also, the user must go through a process of selecting the proper hole each time the strap is attached.

Buckles with double keeper bars and fixed centre studs receiving both the underlying and overlying strap ends are known in the art, the fixed studs having a length substantially the same as or greater than two thicknesses of strap material. Also a double keeper buckle with pivotable tongue or centre stud, which receives underlying and overlying strap portions and includes a retaining knob on the ends is known.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable strap buckle which can be preadjusted to provide a fixed strap length, so that the same hole may be used each time the strap is attached.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved strap where the loose end and most of the adjustment holes are concealed beneath the overlying end of the strap.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable buckle which has a pleasing appearance and is economical to manufacture.

The invention provides an improved buckle and strap assembly of the type having an underlying strap and an overlying strap connected by a double keeper buckle, said buckle having a transverse portion receiving a first or underlying strap end, a pair of transverse keeper members on opposite sides of the transverse portion adapted to retain both first and second strap ends, the transverse portion including a raised U-shaped section having a height substantially the same as the thickness of the first underlying strap end, a tongue having a loop pivotably connected to the U-shaped member and adapted to contact one of said keeper members, the first or underlying strap end having a plurality of adjustment holes corresponding to the outer dimensions of the Ushaped portion section with the pivotable tongue loop; and a second or overlying strap end having a retaining hole for receiving the pivotable tongue and a bit end of just sufficient length to be retained in place under one keeper member when the overlying strap end is retained by the tongue contacting the other keeper member.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an improved double keeper adjustable strap buckle according to the invention; shown in perspective view, Figure 2 shows the buckle with the underlying strap band attached, Figure 3 is a view of the buckle with the overlying strap end attached, Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section elevation view of the assembled buckle and strap shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a modified form of the adjustable strap buckle according to the invention, in perspective view, Figure 6 shows the buckle of Figure 5 with the underlying strap ends attached, Figure 7 shows the buckle of Figure 5 with the overlying strap end attached, and Figure 8 shows another modified buckle according to the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a double keeper buckle is shown to be formed from a metal suitable for a watchband. The buckle includes parallel folded over side members 1, 2 and first and second transverse keeper members 3, 4 all stamped and shaped from a single sheet.

central transverse member 5 is connected between the side members 1, 2 by inserting its ends in holes 1 a, 2a and retained by force-fit or solder. Member 5 has formed therein a U-shaped mounting 6 with a necked down portion 6a in its centre. A tongue 7 is pivotably mounted on the centre portion 6a of the U-shaped section by bending it around to form a loop 7a. The other end of the tongue is adapted to cooperate with the transverse keeper member 4 by contacting it and resting in a suitable groove 8 therein.

Figure 2 shows a first or underlying strap end 9 having a plurality of adjustment holes 9a. Strap 9 may be laminated or single thickness plastics, ieather, or any of the materials generally used for watch straps.

In accordance with the present invention, the U-shaped member 6 is precisely dimensioned such that its height above the surface of the remainder of transverse member 5 is substantially the same as the thickness of the underlying strap end 9. Secondly, in accordance with the present invention, the adjustment holes 9a in the underlying strap are of a size and shape to substantially correspond to the outline shape of the U-shaped mounting 6 together with the tongue loop 7a. The adjustment holes 9a should be snug around the U-shaped portion and tongue loop to assist in retaining the strap 9.

Figure 3 illustrates the attachment of a second or overlying strap end 10. Strap end 10 preferably includes only a single hole 1 Oa adapted to receive the free end of tongue 7. The bit end 11 of strap 10 extends only sufficiently far beyond hole 1 Oa so that it can be retained by the keeper member 3 when the strap is secured as shown in Figure 3.

The loose end 1 2 with length for adjusting to the wrist is concealed beneath the overlying strap 1 0.

The cross section of Figure 4 illustrates the preferred relationship of the parts of the adjustable buckle and strap. The U-shaped member 6 with narrowed portion 6a at the centre together with the tongue loop 7a curled around the portion 6a, provide a pivotable mounting for the tongue, The distance from the lower surface of the mounting 6a to the lower surface of the transverse member 5 is substantially the same as the thickness of strap end 9. Some minor variation in height of 6 is allowable. It should be high enough so that strap 9 will not easily slip off, but not so tight that it causes excessive protrusion of the overlying strap 10. The adjustment holes 9a have a longitudinal length which will accommodateboth the U-shaped member 6 and the loop 7a of the tongue snugly, so that the curvature of loop 7a will assist in retaining the strap.

Referring now to the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 5-7, the buckle shown in Figure 5 is all stamped from a single sheet of metal to include transverse keeper members 13, 14 spaced from a central transverse member 1 5. A U-shaped raised mounting 1 6 is formed from the flat stock of section 1 5 with a neck 16a. A pivotable tongue 1 7 is mounted on the neck 1 6a of the U-shaped section 1 6 by means of a loop 1 7a and rests with the other end in a groove 18 in keeper bar 14.

Figure 6 shows an underlying strap end 1 9 with adjustment holes 19a. As before, in accordance with the present invention, the height of the U-shaped section 1 6 above the remainder of member 1 5 is substantially the same as that of the thickness of the underlying strap 1 9. The size and shape of adjustment holes 1 9a in the underlying strap are made to substantially correspond to the outline shape of the U-shaped member together with the tongue loop.

Figure 7 shows a second or overlying strap end 20 with a single hole 20a adapted to receive the tongue 17, and a bit end 21 of just sufficient length to be retained by the keeper member 13.

The overlying strap 20 covers a loose end 22 of the underlying strap 19.

Figure 8 shows yet another modification of buckle stamped from a single sheet of metal to provide keeper bars 23,24 by folding together ends 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b. A central transverse member 25 extends between and is spaced from keeper members 23, 24. A U-shaped mounting 26 is stamped out of the transverse member 25 to provide a pivotable mounting for a tongue 27.

Operation More or less permanent adjustment of the strap to fit the arm of the user is made by selecting the proper adjustment hole (9a, 1 9a) and securing the underlying strap by inserting the tongue (7, 17, 27) and the U-shaped section (6, 16, 26) through the adjustment hole.

Subsequently, the user need only be concerned with insertion of the bit end (11, 21) of the second or overlying strap portion beneath transverse keeper member (4, 14, 24), inserting the tongue in the single hole, and inserting the bit end of the strap under the opposite keeper member (3,13,23).

Should subsequent adjustment of the length be required, the unsightly crease often caused by changing or adjusting the length is hidden by the overlying strap end. The loose or excess end of strap material is concealed beneath the overlying strap portion and prevented from catching on objects.

Claims

1. An improved adjustable buckle and strap assembly of the type having a first underlying strap end and a second overlying strap end arranged to be adjustably connected by a double keeper buckle, said improvement comprising: first and second transverse keeper members at opposite ends of said buckle, a centrally disposed transverse member between the first and second keeper members adapted to receive said first underlying strap end, said transverse member having a raised U-shaped mounting protruding therefrom, the height of said mounting above the remainder of said transverse member being substantially the same as that of thickness of the underlying strap end, a tongue pivotably mounted on the centre of the U-shaped mounting and adapted to pivotally contact a first keeper member, said underlying strap end defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced adjustment holes having a size and shape corresponding substantially to the outline of said U-shaped mounting portion together with the pivotable tongue mounting, whereby adjustment of the strap length may be made, and said second or overlying strap end having a hole for receiving said tongue and having a bit end portion of just sufficient length to be retained under the second keeper member when the overlying strap end is secured with the tongue contacting the first keeper member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second keeper members and said transverse member are parallel spaced arms stamped from a single metal sheet.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second keeper members are connected by integral folded over side members, and wherein said transverse member is retained by its ends between said side members.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said transverse member also extends longitudinally between the keeper members beneath the underlying strap end, and wherein said first and second keeper members comprise opposed arms from the same sheet of metal folded together and spaced from the transverse member, and wherein said U-shaped member is cut and formed from the transverse member.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said U-shaped mounting is stamped from the transverse member so as to protrude therefrom, and defines a necked down portion in its centre, and wherein said tongue mounting comprises a loop around said necked down portion.

6. An improved adjustable buckle and strap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.