GB2527327A

GB2527327A - Buckle for webbing

Info

Publication number: GB2527327A
Application number: GB1410835.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Jones
Original assignee: Heightec Group Ltd
Current assignee: Heightec Group Ltd
Priority date: 2014-06-17
Filing date: 2014-06-17
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Also published as: GB201410835D0

Abstract

A buckle suitable for joining at least two ends of webbing. The buckle comprises two parts 2,3 which may be spaced for donning or together in operative connection for supporting a load. The first part of the buckle 2 receives at least one end of webbing 4 and contains an aperture 5 through which the second part of the buckle 3, with a second end of webbing 4, may pass when in the correct orientation. Said first part of the buckle 2 contains at least one guide surface 6 to urge said second part of the buckle 3 into the correct orientation such that the webbing is aligned correctly and accidental release of the two parts Is minimised. The guide surface is preferably a recess that may taper to grip the second part of the buckle or a portion of the webbing when a load is applied. A portion of the guide surface may overhang the corresponding part of the buckle.

Description

Buckle for Webbing The invention relates to a buckle for joining and adjusting webbing, tape, ribbon or narrow fabric (collectively referred to hereinafter as webbing).

Buckles for joining or adjusting webbing are known. A common type of buckle comprises a first part formed from flat plate with a rectangular aperture for connecting a first end of webbing and also allowing the first part to engage with a second part. The second part is also formed from flat plate with two apertures such that a second end of webbing may be threaded there around. Said second part being proportioned such that, when aligned correctly, the second part may pass through said aperture. Then, when a load is applied between the first and second ends of webbing the second part of the buckle aligns with the first part preventing it from passing back through the aperture. The second end of webbing may be sewn into a loop or otherwise fixedly attached to said second part of the buckle or alternatively threadedaround said second part such that it may move and provide adjustment. In this adjustable configuration, when the load is applied between the first and second ends of webbing the second end of webbing is trapped between the first and second parts of the buckle preventing it from moving and thus allowing it to hold a force or load.

Such buckles can cause problems in that, as the contact surfaces of the 2 parts are flat, they align in the direction in which the load is applied. If the first and second ends of webbing are not loaded along the same axis the first and second parts of the buckle do not align correctly, trapping the webbing in a corner of the aperture in the first part. This uneven loading reducing the strength of the webbing. In addition, the first and second parts of the buckle are not held in operative contact when no load is applied. The second part of the buckle may move relative to the first part with the potential for the second part to pass back through the aperture allowing the buckle to come undone.

The invention seeks to solve these problems by providing additional support means to orient the first and second parts of the buckle tO make the webbing align in its strongest orientation and help prevent the accidental release of the 2 parts.

* r According to the present invention there is Provided a buckle for use on webbing comprising a first part for attaching to at least a first end of webbing and incorporating an aperture through which *H may pass a second part for attaching to a second end of webbing; One part incorporating at least one guide surface to urge said second part into a given orientation; Said buckle being selectively configurable between a donning position wherein said first and second parts are spaced allowing the webbing to be placed around an object or person and a use position ::". wherein said first and second parts are in operative connection allowing the buckle and webbing to supportaload.

Preferably said aperture in said first part of the buckle is of a profile and orientation such that said second part may only pass therethrough when in the correct orientation.

Preferably said aperture, and when passing therethrough said second part of the buckle, is offset from the operative position either linearly or angularly or both, such that said second part must move translationally or rotationally or both in order to pass therethrough.

Preferably said first part of the buckle has at least one aperturetor receiving webbing in addition to the aperture for the second part of the buckle to pass through.

Preferably said at least one guide surface may be in the form of a recess in said first part of the buckle.

Preferably said recess tapers such that!t grips said second part of the buckle or webbing as load is applied to it.

Preferably part of said guide surface overhangs the corresponding part of the buckle such that it may engage with or pass under said overhanging part.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure lisa perspective view of the buckle in the donning position wherein the parts are spaced.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the buckle with the second part passing through the first part.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the buckle in the use position wherein the parts are inoperative connection.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the buckle comprises a first part 2 with at least one slot 1 for receiving at least one end of webbing. A second part of the buckle 3 receives a second end of webbing 4.

In use, the second part 3 is rotated through approximately ninety degrees and the passes through *0* * the aperture S in first part 1, as illustrated in Figure 2. Said aperture S is so proportioned that said * : °: second part of the buckle 3 can only achieve the required orientation to pass therethrough when there is no load applied to it. Once second part 3 has passed through first part 2 as illustrated in Figure 3, said second part 3 can rotate back through approximately ninety degrees such that it is substantially parallel to said first part 2. This rotation may be achieved by hand or by a load or other tensile force being applied to webbing 4 urging said second part to rotate. In this position said first part 2 and second part 3 are in operative connection. ** * * * .

* * Once in operative connection, said webbing 4 is trapped between said second part 3 and edge 8 of said first part 2. As load is applied to the buckle said webbing 4 is thus prevented from moving. If the loads applied to each side the buckle are not in line and therefore attempting to urge said second part 3 to rotate relative to said first part 2 at least one guide surface 6, of said first part 2 urges said second part 3 and particularly the webbing contact surfaces thereof, into substantiafly parallel alignment with edge S ensuring that the webbing 4 is loaded evenly across its width.

At least one additional protruberance 7 may also be provided, substantially parallel to the body of said first part of the buckle 2, such that said second part 3 is additionally urged into operative contact with said first part 2. Said protruberance 7 helping to prevent said first part 2 from lifting vertically from said second part 3 and therefore separating, when there is no load applied.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, webbing 4 may be securedly affixed to the second part of the buckle 3 such that the webbing may not be adjusted.

In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, said at least one guide surface is at 90 degrees to that shown in the accompanying drawings. * * * ** * * . * 0* **** * * **.* 0 * * 0* * **

Claims

Claims 1. A buckle for use on webbing comprising a first part for attaching to at least a first end of webbing and incorporating an aperture through which may pass a second part for attaching to a second end of webbing; One part incorporating at least one guide surface to urge said second part jn a given direction; Said buckle being selectively configurable between a donningposition wherein said first and second parts are spaced allowing the webbing to be placed around an object or person and a use position wherein said first and second parts are in operative connection allowing the buckle and webbing to supporta load.Preferably said aperture in said first part of the buckle is of a profile and orientation such that said second part may only pass therethrough when in the correct orientation.
2. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein said aperture, and when passing therethrough said second part of the buckle, is offset from the operative position either linearly or angularly or both, such that said second part must move translationally or rotationally or both in order to pass therethrough.
3. A buckle according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said at least one guide surface may be in the form of a recess in said first part of the buckle. -____
4. A buckle according to claim 3 wherein said recess tapers such that it grips said second part Of the buckle or webbing as load is applied to it.
5. A buckle according to any preceding claim part of said guide surface overhangs the corresponding part of the buckle such that it may engage with or pass under said overhanging part.
6. A buckle according to any preceding claim wherein said first part of the buckle has at least one aperture for receiving webbing in addition to said aperture for said second part of the buckle to pass through. flts* l.A buckle substantially as herein defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.** ..o.. * * * to * * * * ** **** * S S...S. S -* S * SS