GB2262304A

GB2262304A - Improvements to tensioning buckles

Info

Publication number: GB2262304A
Application number: GB9125786A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy John Pass
Original assignee: BOALLOY Ltd
Current assignee: BOALLOY Ltd
Priority date: 1991-12-04
Filing date: 1991-12-04
Publication date: 1993-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-04
Also published as: GB9125786D0; GB2262304B

Abstract

A tensioning buckle that is used to tension webbing in a curtain of a curtain-sided vehicle has a first member 1 pivotable relative to a second member 2. A V-shaped plate spring 20 biases the first and second members 1, 2 apart. The frame members 1, 2 can be releasably secured in a parallel relationship, against the bias of the spring 20. The spring 20 applies pressure on the webbing 4 to prevent slippage of the webbing 4 through the buckle. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROYIEMENTS RELATING TO TEtsSlONlfCi BUCKLES This invention relates to tensioning buckles especially but not exclusively to such buckles used with vertical tensioning webbing or straps employed in curtains of curtain-sided vehicles.

A development in curtain-sided vehicles is the selfsupporting roof and it has been found that the latter, due to "bounce" imparted to the roof during travel and by road conditions, tends to put extra snap tension on the tensioning buckles causing them to slacken off which is highly dangerous in that there is created a risk of cargo discharge through the vehicle side while the vehicle is in transit.

Another reason for slackening of tension is curtain movement caused by variations in air pressure resulting for passing vehicles "snatching' a tensioned curtain.

It has been found that this slackening in buckle tension occurs even when a buckle is directly fastened to a curtain with only a bottom strap through the buckle for attachment to the rave or floor of a vehicle.

While the present invention is particularly concerned with the problem of tension slackening in buckle and webbing (straps) combinations fitted to curtain-sided vehicles it has application to other buckle and webbing (straps) arrangement such, for example, as load restraint or securement.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid problem of slackening tension.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a tensioning buckle for tensioning webbing comprising a first frame member pivotable relative to a second frame member, resilient means biasing said members apart, and means for releasably securing the frame members in substantially parallel relationship against the bias of said resilient means to prevent said relative pivotal movement and wherein, in the closed position, the resilient means applies pressure on webbing threaded through the frame members te prevent slippage of the webbing through the buckle.

Preferably said resilient means is V-shaped and is secured between the frame members at the pivot of the frame members with one limb extending along the face of each frame member.

The V-shaped resilient means may be a plate spring of Vconfiguration formed of metal such, for example as stainless steel, spring steel or a plastics material.

The resilient means may alternatively be an elastomeric (natural or synthetic rubber for example) or a resilient plastics pad or block.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a tensioning web or strap for a curtain of a curtain-sided vehicle comprising a length or lengths of webbing threaded through a tensioning buckle as hereinbefore defined.

The webbing may have at one end a runner or slider for movement along a track at the roof of a curtain-sided vehicle and a rave hook or similar at its other end.

Alternatively, the tensioning buckle may be adapted for direct securement to a curtain of a curtain-sided vehicle and be threaded with a length of webbing adapted for securement to a vehicle rave or floor.

Further according to the invention there is provided a curtain for a curtain-sided vehicle, the curtain being fitted with a plurality of vehicle tensioning webs or straps and tensioning buckles as hereinbefore defined in the two immediately preceding paragraphs.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tensioning buckle in the locked position; Fig. 2 is a part sectional side view of Fig. 1 with the unlock position shown dotted; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of spring for use with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings the tensioning buckle comprises first and second frame members 1, 2 and a latching bar 3. One end of a webbing strap 4 to be tensioned is attached to the first frame member 1 and the other end of the strap 5 is threaded around the second frame member 2 and gripped between the two frame members 1, 2 when the e buckle is fastened as described below.

The first and second frame members 1, 2 are rectangular and of channel section in which spaced apart side walls are joined together by cross bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. The first and second frame members 1, 2 are pivotably connected by a rivet pin 8 which passes transversely through holes 9 in the side walls of each frame member 1, 2. The second frame member 1, 2 is of smaller width than the first frame member 1 and is received in the channel of the first frame member 1 and inverted with respect to it. The second frame member 2 has a slot 10 formed in each of its side walls which slots 10 are designed to receive the latch bar 3 as described below.The side walls of the first frame member 1 have cut away portions 11 an end of which is formed into a hook recess 12, The cut away portions 11 are aligned with the slots 10 of the second frame member 2 (see Fig. 4).

The latch bar 3 is formed from a plate and has an upturned end 13 of reduced width and an end 14 of extended width having ears 15 which reside in the slots 10 in the second member 2 in a slidable relationship. The extended portion 14 has raised tabs 16 which receie a central portion 17 of a cross sprint 18. The opposite ends of the cross spring 18 are located in the slots 10 and abut the edges thereof and the central portion 17 extends across the width of the latch bar 3. The cross spring 18 resilientiy urges the latch bar 3 such that the ears 15 of the extended portion 14 abut the edge of the slot 10 opposite the ends of the cross spring 18.

The pivot pin 8 has a sleeve 19 mounted thereon which sleeve 19 supports a V-shaped plate spring 20. The limbs of the spring 20 have in-turned ends and the spring 20 resides in the channels of the two frame members 1, 2. The spring 20 clips over the sleeve 19 and is free to pivot with the sleeve 19 about the pin 8.

One end of the strap 4 to be tensioned is attached to the cross bar 7a of the first frame member 1. The other end 6 of the strap is threaded into the buckle over the cross bars 7d, 7c and 7b, it passes up and over cross bar 6c of the second frame member and loops around cross 6b returning to pass over itself over cross bar 6c. The strap then passes over the external side of the cross bars 7b under cross bar 7c of the first frame 1 and over cross bar 7d.

The dotted outline of Fig. 2 shows the buckle in the untensioned position, the two frame members 1, 2 being urged apart by the V-shaped plate spring 20. The solid outline of Fig. 2 shows the buckle in the tensioned position with the two frame members 1, 2 pivoted together.

In the tensioned position the strap 4, 5 is tensioned between the first and second frame members 1, 2 and the ears 15 of the latching bar 3 are forced to slide in the slots 10 initially against the bias of the cross spring 17 and them to locate in the hook recesses 12 in the side walls of the first frame member 1 moving in the opposite direction with the bias of the cross spring 17. In this manner the frame members 1, 2 are locked together against the bias of the V-spring 20. Each limb of the V-spring 20 traps the strap 4, 5 against the cross bars 7b, 6b of the first and second frame members.To release the buckle from the tensioned position the upturned end 9 of the latch bar 3 is pushed into the first frame member against the bias of the cross spring 17 until the ears 15 of the latching bar 3 are free from the hooked recesses 12 thereby allowing the bias of the V-spring 20 to force the frame members 1, 2 apart.

The V-spring 20 of the buckle thus provides for an added gripping force to increase the pressure on the strap. The extra gripping reduces the possibility of slip of the webbing strap through the buckle and consequent slackening of the strap.

This is particularly important where the tensioning buckles are employed with curtain-tensioning webs or straps fitted in sleeves in the curtains of curtain-sided vehicles.

The present invention is not restricted to the particular buckle structure illustrated and described. For example the buckle may be held closed by means other than the spring-loaded latch arrangement disclosed. The frame members may, for example, be releasably closed by being an interference fit, one within the other.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tensioning buckle for tensiccing webbing comprising a first frame member pivotable relative to a second frame member, resilient means biasing said members apart, and means for releasably securing the frame members in substantially parallel relationship against the bias of said resilient means to prevent said relative pivotal movement and wherein, in the closed position, the resilient means applies pressure on webbing threaded through the frame members to prevent slippage of the webbing through the buckle.

2. A tensioning buckle according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is substantially V-shaped and is secured between the frame members at the pivot of the frame members with one limb extending along the face of each frame member.

3. A tensioning buckle according to claim 2, wherein the Vshaped resilient means is a plate spring of V-configuration formed of metal such, for example as stainless steel, spring steel or & plastics material.

4. A tensioning buckle according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is an elastomeric or a resilient plastics pad or block.

5. A tensioning web or strap for a curtain of a curtain-sided vehicle comprising a length or lengths of webbing threaded through a tensioning buckle as defined in claim 1.

6. A tensioning web or strap according to claim 5, wherein at one end of the webbing is a runner or slider for movement along a track at the roof of a curtaIn-sided vehicle and a rave hook or similar at its other end.

7. A tensioning web according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning buckle is adapted for direct securement to a curtain of a curtainsided vehicle and is threaded with a length of webbing adapted for securement to a vehicle rave or floor.

8. A curtain for a curtain-sided vehicle, the curtain being fitted with a plurality of vehicle tensioning webs or straps and tensioning buckles as defined in claims 5, 6 or 7.

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

10. A tensioning web or strap substantailly as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A curtain for a curtain-sided vehicle substantailly as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.