GB2189540A

GB2189540A - Belt buckle

Info

Publication number: GB2189540A
Application number: GB08707949A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Klecha; Werner Klinnert; Walter Runge
Original assignee: SEIFHENNERSDORF BEKLEIDUNG
Current assignee: SEIFHENNERSDORF BEKLEIDUNG
Priority date: 1986-04-22
Filing date: 1987-04-02
Publication date: 1987-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-02
Also published as: DE3707464C2; GB2189540B; YU59387A; YU45413B; GB8707949D0; RO100063B1; DE3707464A1; FR2597435A1; HUT43290A; HU202154B; FR2597435B1

Abstract

A belt buckle e.g. for parachute harness comprises a plug 1 and a fastener part 2, the fastener part being provided with one or as shown two pivotable latches 5 which is/are acted on by spring(s) 7 and, during insertion of the plug 1, engage in corresponding recess(es) 11 in the head 10 of the plug 1. The latch(es) 5 is/are provided with respective projection(s) 12 which, in the fastening position of the latch(es), terminate(s) flush with respective edges of a base plate 3 and a cover plate 4 of the fastener part 2. A securing flap 8 pivotably mounted on a connecting member 9 of the fastener part 2 and can be tilted over to be disposed beside the projection(s) to block pivotal movement of the latch(es) out of the fastening position. A resiliently mounted detent ball 14 holds the flap 8 in this position. Buckle release is by opening of the flap 8 and subsequent pressing of protruding operating parts of the latches 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Belt buckle The present invention relates to a belt buckle, especially for a parachute harness, and has particular reference to a buckle enabling a rapid connection and release of a belt and operable with the use of only one hand.

Known parachute belt buckles comprise a fastener or socket part which consists of a housing with a recess for the introduction of a plug, a connecting member for connection with the belt and two locking latches. The latches can be guided in the housing, wherein movability is limited by abutments, or be mounted by means of a bearing pin. The latches are held in locking position by spring pressure.

The insert part of the plug is usually constructed to be flat and possesses a mushroom-shaped head at the end. On pressing of the plug into an opening in the housing, the two latches are pressed back against the force of the spring. On reaching the end position, the latches pivot back, engage behind the head of the plug and hold this fast.

Buckles of this kind are also used for safety belts in passenger vehicles, wherein the constructions can be very diverse, for example in the shape of the plug, in the kind and number of the latches and in the additional provision of a press key for actuation of the latches.

It is disadvantageous in these buckles that under extreme conditions, even without intended actuation of the latches, these can be moved in direction of the unlocking position against the force of the spring.

In an extreme case this can lead to unintended opening of the buckle. This possibility exists, for example when the plug is not pressed completely into the fastener part, that adjacent items of equipment press against the latches during a parachute jump, a spring breakage occurs or an impact on the plug fastener takes place during the landing. Moreover, foreign matter, for example earth or sand, can get between the housing and the latches and obstruct movability of the latches.

When the plug is next pressed into the fastener part, it is possible that the latches detent only partially into the recesses in the plug head, whereby during a loading, brought about by the unfolding shock of the parachute canopy, of the plug fastener the latches may open and release the plug.

It would thus be desirable to eliminate the mentioned disadvantages and to provide a functionally reliable buckle so as to increase safety. In particular, an unintended opening of the plug, due to incomplete detenting of the plug or unintended actuation of. the latches as a result of an external force, should be excluded.

According to the present invention there is provided a belt buckle comprising a socket member and a plug member lockable therein, the socket member comprising a housing for reception of the plug member, a locking element pivotably mounted in the housing and resiliently urged into a locking position, the element being pivotable out of and back into its locking position for engagement in a recess in the plug member on insertion thereof into the housing and having a projection which in the locking position of the element extends wholly within the outline of the housing, and a securing member pivotably connected to the housing and so positionable relative to the housing in the locking position of the element as to co-operate with the projection to block pivotal movement of the element out of the locking position.

In a preferred embodiment the buckle comprises two pivotable locking elements or latches each with a projection which, in locking position of the latches, closes off flush with the outside edges of the housing, wherein the securing member fastened to the housing can be guided over these projections.

This securing member, for example a flap, is expediently mounted above a cover plate of the housing and the two longitudinal sides of the flap are bent over downwardly directly at the outside edge of the housing. In the closed state of the flap, the bent-over longitudinal sides are disposed beside the projections of the latches. When the latches are pressed, then the projections pivot outwardly and protrude beyond the outside edges of the housing. Closing of the flap is then no longer possible. If the plug member is not completely detented in the housing, the flap cannot be closed because of the protruding latch projections. The flap can be so constructed that complete covering of the protruding part of the latches takes place in the closed state.If a force acts from outside on the buckle, then the flap prevents the latches from being moved by this force in direction of the unlocking position and against the force of the spring. Due to the shape of the flap, the ingress of sand or other foreign matter into the latching mechanism can also be largely prevented.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a buckle embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the buckle with closed securing flap; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the buckle with open securing flap.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only the components essential to an understanding of the described embodiment, there is shown a belt buckle comprising a plug 1 and a socket member or fastener part 2. The fastener part 2 consists of a base plate 3, a cover plate 4, two locking latches 5 pivotably mounted on bearing pins 6, two springs 7 acting on the latches 5, a securing flap 8 and a connecting member 9 for connection with, for example, a parachute harness belt.

The head 10 of the plug 1 is plugged into the fastener part 2 during fastening of the buckle. In that case, the two latches 5 snap, under the pressure of the springs 7, into recesses 11 in the head 10 so that the plug 1 can no longer be drawn out of the fastener part 2. The latches 5 are so arranged that self-locking occurs on application of a tension force tending to separate the plug and the fastener part. The bearing pins 6 are fastened in the base plate 3 and cover plate 4. The connecting member 9 also serves to carry the securing flap 8, to limit the plug travel during pressing-in, to guide the plug 1 and to locate the springs 7. A projection 12 is disposed on each of the latches 5 and is so arranged that it extends flush with a respective outside edge of the base plate 3 and cover plate 4 when the plug 1 is completely detented.The securing flap 8, pivotably mounted-on the connecting member 9, is constructed as a deepdrawn part and in its outer shape matched to the outline of the fastener part 2. When the plug 1 is completely detented, the flap 8 can be tilted over the cover plate 4 and over protruding operating parts 13 of the latches 5. A resiliently mounted detent ball 14 holds the flap 8 fast in this setting. The bent-over side 15 of the flap 8 is in that case disposed beside the projections 12 of the latches 5 and prevents positional change thereof. If the plug 1 is not completely detented, the flap 8 cannot be brought into closed position due to the protruding projections 12.

The opening of the buckle takes place through opening the flap 8 and subsequent pressing of the operating parts 13 of the latches.

The buckle can comprise only one latch 5 with projection 12 or, if two latches are present, only one need be equipped with a projection 12, over which the flap 8 can be guided in locking position.

Claims

1. A belt buckle comprising a socket member and a plug member lockable therein, the socket member comprising a housing for reception of the plug member, a locking element pivotably mounted in the housing and resiliently urged into a locking position, the element being pivotable out of and back into its locking position for engagement in a recess in the plug member on insertion thereof into the housing and having a projection which in the locking position of the element extends wholly within the outline of the housing, and a securing member pivotably connected to the housing and so positionable relative to the housing in the locking position of the element as to co-operate with the projection to block pivotal movement of the element out of the locking position.

2. A belt buckle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket member comprises a further locking element pivotably mounted in the housing and resiliently urged into a locking position, the further element being pivotable out of and back into its locking position for engagement in a further recess in the plug member on insertion thereof into the housing.

3. A belt buckle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the further locking element has a respective projection which in the locking position of that element extends wholly within the outline of the housing, the securing member being additionally so positionable relative to the housing in the locking position of the further element as to co-operate with the projection of the further element to block pivotal movement thereof out of the locking position.

4. A belt buckle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein edge portions of the securing member are bent over at right angles and correspond in shape to the outline of the housing together with the locking element or elements, as the case may be, in the locking position.

5. A belt buckle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.