GB2196686A

GB2196686A - Buckle for strap

Info

Publication number: GB2196686A
Application number: GB08625903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Rodgers
Original assignee: INTERTRADE ENG Ltd
Current assignee: INTERTRADE ENG Ltd
Priority date: 1986-10-29
Filing date: 1986-10-29
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Also published as: GB8625903D0

Abstract

The buckle has a body 1 and a handle 4 pivotally attached to body 1 by pin 5, the handle being movable between a closed position and an open position; a member 9 having a finger plate 10 is pivotally attached to body 1 and can be depressed to cause release of handle 4 from the closed position. Member 9 engages tongue 8 on the handle. The strap whose path is shown by dotted line in Fig. 2 and which may be secured to sheeting of curtain-sided vehicle or other permanent fixture is tensioned by moving handle 4 to closed position. As shown, depression of member 9 against tension of the strap is required to reach a point after which tension of the strap assists opening-a trigger- like over-centre action is thereby provided. In alternative embodiments the members may release tongue 8 after a short movement, without reaching the over-centre position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spring release buckle This invention relates to a spring release buckle of the kind used for securing straps which are held under tension in use, for example for securing sheetings for covering vehicle loads.

Conventional buckles have a handle over which a strap is threaded, the handle being movable in an over centre manner to tension and secure the strap. the handle may be secured by a slidable bolt received in a recess in the handle. Such buckles suffer from the disadvantage that friction can cause the bolt to jam as it is withdrawn due to the turning force applied to the handle by the tension in the strap. A need for a superior arrangement which does not jam has existed for many years.

According to the present invention a buckle comprises a body; a handle pivotally mounted on the body, the handle being movable between an open position wherein a strap may be threaded upon the handle and a closed position wherein tension is applied to a said strap; and a catch having a finger plate arranged to release the handle when the finger plate is depressed.

The catch preferabiy operates in a substantially friction-free manner. An over-centre arrangement, wherein tension in the strap assists opening of the catch once the finger plate has been depressed by a predetermined amount.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an elevation showing a buckle in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a cross section on A-A of Fig.

1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the buckle.

The same reference numerals are used to identify like components in each Figure.

The buckle comprises a body 1 having a generally channel shaped configuration. A constricted or joggled upper portion 2 is reduced to the width of a strap which may be permanently secured to the sheeting of a curtainsided vehicle or other permanent fixture. Apertures 3 allow attachment to a strap or other fixture by means of bolts, rivets or the like.

Provision of a constricted narrow portion ensures that the buckle hangs vertically from the strap, avoiding unnecessary strain upon the latter.

A handle, 4, pivotally attached to the body 1 by a pin 5, is movable between a closed position as shown in the Figures and an open position wherein the handle is rotated away from the body (anticlockwise in Fig. 2). Apertures 6,7 in the handle 4 facilitate threading of a strap as described below.

The path of the strap is shown by a dotted line in Fig. 2. In use of the apparatus the strap is threaded adjacent the base plate 1, over the pivot 5, through the aperture 7 in the handle, behind the web 13, over the pivot 5 and out of the bottom of the buckle between the pivot 11 and tongue 8. Tension in the strap urges the handle anticlockwise to the open position. The lower end of the handle 4 has a stepped tongue 8 which projects forwardly of the buckle at an acute angle 6 to the vertical. A catch member 9 having a finger plate 10 is pivotally attached to the body. 1 by means of a pin 11.

Application of pressure to the finger plate 10 causes the catch member to rotate (clockwise in Fig. 1). A spring (not shown) urges the catch member anticlockwise. Contact of the edge of the tongue 8 with the underside 12 of the catch member 9 is preferably arranged to occur a short distance below the point at which the undersurface 12 is tangenitial to the direction of rotation about the pivot 11. Outward pressure of the tongue 8 does not displace the catch member until the finger plate is displaced sufficiently to move the point of contact of the tongue and under surface 12 above the tangential position. De pression of the catch against a small compo nent of the tension of the strap is required to reach a point after which the tension of the strap assists opening of the catch. A trigger like, over-centre action is thereby provided.

In alternative embodiments of the invention the catch may simply release the tongue after a short movement, without reaching the over centre position.

Buckles in accordance with this invention find application in securing any straps which are maintained under tension. Particular appli cations include curtains or coverings for vehicles or other load securing straps.

1. A buckle comprising a body and a handle pivotally mounted on the body, the handle being movable between an open posi tion wherein a strap may be threaded upon the handle and a closed position wherein ten sion is applied to a said strap; a catch having a finger plate being arranged to release the handle when the finger plate is depressed.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catch is operable in a friction-free manner.

3. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein an over-centre arrangement is pro vided whereby tension in the strap assists opening of the catch once the finger plate has been depressed by a predetermined amount.

4. A buckle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the handle is pivotable about an axis about which is formed a stubbing surface.

5. A buckle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the handle has a transverse web, about whtch a said strap can be passed spaced from the

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

Claims

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

SPECIFICATION Spring release buckle This invention relates to a spring release buckle of the kind used for securing straps which are held under tension in use, for example for securing sheetings for covering vehicle loads.

Conventional buckles have a handle over which a strap is threaded, the handle being movable in an over centre manner to tension and secure the strap. the handle may be secured by a slidable bolt received in a recess in the handle. Such buckles suffer from the disadvantage that friction can cause the bolt to jam as it is withdrawn due to the turning force applied to the handle by the tension in the strap. A need for a superior arrangement which does not jam has existed for many years.

According to the present invention a buckle comprises a body; a handle pivotally mounted on the body, the handle being movable between an open position wherein a strap may be threaded upon the handle and a closed position wherein tension is applied to a said strap; and a catch having a finger plate arranged to release the handle when the finger plate is depressed.

The catch preferabiy operates in a substantially friction-free manner. An over-centre arrangement, wherein tension in the strap assists opening of the catch once the finger plate has been depressed by a predetermined amount.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an elevation showing a buckle in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a cross section on A-A of Fig.

1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the buckle.

The same reference numerals are used to identify like components in each Figure.

The buckle comprises a body 1 having a generally channel shaped configuration. A constricted or joggled upper portion 2 is reduced to the width of a strap which may be permanently secured to the sheeting of a curtainsided vehicle or other permanent fixture. Apertures 3 allow attachment to a strap or other fixture by means of bolts, rivets or the like.

Provision of a constricted narrow portion ensures that the buckle hangs vertically from the strap, avoiding unnecessary strain upon the latter.

A handle, 4, pivotally attached to the body

1 by a pin 5, is movable between a closed position as shown in the Figures and an open position wherein the handle is rotated away from the body (anticlockwise in Fig. 2). Apertures 6,7 in the handle 4 facilitate threading of a strap as described below.

The path of the strap is shown by a dotted line in Fig. 2. In use of the apparatus the strap is threaded adjacent the base plate 1, over the pivot 5, through the aperture 7 in the handle, behind the web 13, over the pivot 5 and out of the bottom of the buckle between the pivot 11 and tongue 8. Tension in the strap urges the handle anticlockwise to the open position. The lower end of the handle 4 has a stepped tongue 8 which projects forwardly of the buckle at an acute angle 6 to the vertical. A catch member 9 having a finger plate 10 is pivotally attached to the body. 1 by means of a pin 11.

Application of pressure to the finger plate

10 causes the catch member to rotate (clockwise in Fig. 1). A spring (not shown) urges the catch member anticlockwise. Contact of the edge of the tongue 8 with the underside 12 of the catch member 9 is preferably arranged to occur a short distance below the point at which the undersurface 12 is tangenitial to the direction of rotation about the pivot 11. Outward pressure of the tongue 8 does not displace the catch member until the finger plate is displaced sufficiently to move the point of contact of the tongue and under surface 12 above the tangential position. De pression of the catch against a small compo nent of the tension of the strap is required to reach a point after which the tension of the strap assists opening of the catch. A trigger like, over-centre action is thereby provided.

In alternative embodiments of the invention the catch may simply release the tongue after a short movement, without reaching the over centre position.

Buckles in accordance with this invention find application in securing any straps which are maintained under tension. Particular appli cations include curtains or coverings for vehicles or other load securing straps.

1. A buckle comprising a body and a handle pivotally mounted on the body, the handle being movable between an open posi tion wherein a strap may be threaded upon the handle and a closed position wherein ten sion is applied to a said strap; a catch having a finger plate being arranged to release the handle when the finger plate is depressed.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catch is operable in a friction-free manner.

3. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein an over-centre arrangement is pro vided whereby tension in the strap assists opening of the catch once the finger plate has been depressed by a predetermined amount.

4. A buckle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the handle is pivotable about an axis about which is formed a stubbing surface.

5. A buckle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the handle has a transverse web, about whtch a said strap can be passed spaced from the said axis.

6. A buckle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the catch engages with the handle at a position further from the pivot axis than said web.

7. A buckle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body, the handle and the catch are all of U-shaped cross-section.

8. A buckle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the handle and catch are within the body.

9. A buckle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the handle has a tongue which is engaged by the catch, the tongue exerting on the catch a force which is only a fraction of the strap tension.

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