NL2016287B1

NL2016287B1 - Buckle.

Info

Publication number: NL2016287B1
Application number: NL2016287A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Gerardus Theodorus Kuenen Emile
Original assignee: Joolz Holding B V
Priority date: 2016-02-19
Filing date: 2016-02-19
Publication date: 2017-09-20
Also published as: NL2016287A

Abstract

The invention is directed to a buckle 1, at least comprising a central buckle body 2, two waist fasteners 3, 4 and two shoulder fasteners 5, 6; wherein a first waist fastener 3 and a first shoulder fastener 5 are arrangable for forming a first combined fastener 7 and wherein a second waist fastener 4 and a second shoulder fastener 6 are arrangable for forming a second combined fastener 8; wherein said central buckle body 2 further comprises slots 9, 10 for receiving and locking said first combined fastener 7 and said second combined fastener 8; wherein at least one of said first and second combined fastener 7, 8 comprises at least one magnet 11 which provides for a magnetic coupling of the respective waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 to said combined fastener 7, 8.

Description

Buckle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buckle, in particular to a buckle which is used in seat belt systems for releasably joining together several (seat) belts. In particular it relates to a buckle for seat belt systems for vehicles or for a seat for a child. The invention also relates to a seat system comprising such buckle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buckles are known in the art. EP1884170, for instance, describes a buckle device used in child seats of a baby carriage or high chair, comprising first and second waist-strap adjusting device, first and second plug for waist-strap, first and second shoulder strap-coupling device, a socket and a release button. Each of the first and second plugs for waist-strap includes an arm that can be inserted into the socket. Each of the plugs has, in between the arms, a resilient tongue that can be inserted into the socket. The socket has a hole for receiving the release button, and has resilient legs at the bottom thereof so that the release button may maintain in position. The release button includes cavities at both sides thereof for receiving the arms. The release button further includes inclined surfaces corresponding to the resilient tongue between the cavities. When the release button is pressed, the inclined surfaces will exert a force on the resilient tongue to eject the plug from the socket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In prior art systems the coupling of the fasteners may not easily reproducible at all occasions. In particular, a waist and shoulder fastener 1) may tend to become detached from each other and/or may be ‘difficult’ to properly attach to each other as required prior to inserting them into the central buckle body. An insertion of the fasteners into the central buckle body is not possible or at least difficult in that state.

Proceeding therefrom, it is especially an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the issues narrated in the context of the prior art. In particular, a compact buckle with a mechanism for easily reproducible and/or firm coupling of fasteners is to be provided.

The invention proposes a buckle for joining together waist seat belts, shoulder seat belts and a central seat belt. Such buckle may comprise a central buckle body which is non-releasably attached to the central seat belt. Waist fasteners are attached to waist seat belts and shoulder fasteners are attached to shoulder seat belts. The fasteners are all insertable into the central buckle body so that they are (releasably) locked within the central buckle body. Prior to inserting the fasteners into the central buckle body, waist and shoulder fasteners of each side are especially coupled together. In that way, a compact central buckle body is provided which allows for unlocking all fasteners at the same time.

This is achieved by a buckle according to the features of claim 1. Further, advantageous design embodiments of the invention and superordinate functional groups are stated in the dependent claims. The features which are individually listed in the claims may be combined in a technologically meaningful manner and may be complemented by explanatory facts of cases from the description, wherein further variants of embodiments of the invention will be demonstrated.

According to the invention a buckle is proposed, at least comprising a central buckle body, two waist fasteners and two shoulder fasteners; wherein a first waist fastener and a first shoulder fastener are arrangeable for forming a first combined fastener and wherein a second waist fastener and a second shoulder fastener are arrangeable for forming a second combined fastener; wherein said central buckle body further comprises slots for receiving and locking said first combined fastener and said second combined fastener; wherein especially at least one of said first and second combined fastener comprises at least one magnet which provides for a magnetic coupling of the respective waist fastener and shoulder fastener to said combined fastener. The magnetic coupling provides for a more easy integration of the waist fastener and shoulder fastener into the combined fastener, and thereby provides for an easier integration of the combined fastener into the central buckle body. In this way, closing of the buckle is more convenient.

The invention especially relates to so called five-point harnesses which are preferred as a safety mechanism for its high amount of safety compared to other designs. The five-point harness consists of five straps (seat belts). Two are located at the shoulders, two at the hips/waist, and one at the crotch that all come to connect to a buckle release mechanism. This way of buckling up holds a driver's body tight in the car seat or a baby in a seat, etc., which in turn may protect the upper body from injuries.

In this kind of seat belt system all seat belts are locked in one central buckle. Prior to insertion, waist and shoulder fastener of each side have to be coupled and to be arranged to form a combined fastener. Only in the state of the combined fastener the seat belts are lockable by the locking mechanism of the buckle.

In particular, the waist fastener and shoulder fastener of each side form a male part which is insertable into the female part (the slot) of the buckle. In particular, the male parts of the waist fastener and the shoulder fasteners are only arrangeable in a single configuration which fits into the slot(s) of the buckle. In particular, the male parts of the first combined fasteners (that are the male first fixation elements) only fit into the first slot(s) and the male parts of the second combined fasteners (also referred to as the male first fixation elements) only fit into the second slot(s).

It is here proposed that the coupling of the waist fastener and the shoulder fastener (in order to form the combined fastener) is supported by magnetic force. In particular, the magnetic force provides for a sticking effect which supports holding together the waist fastener and the shoulder fastener in the specific configuration of the combined fastener.

In particular, the magnet is not used as sensor for providing any signal for the seat belt system. Here it is proposed that the magnetic force provides for the structural stability of the combined fastener so that the waist fastener and the shoulder fastener do not become detached or misaligned prior or during inserting them into the slot(s) of the buckle and/or to assisting the user in closing the seat belts, as the magnet may align two parts into a combined fastener.

Preferably, the buckle and the fasteners are (essentially) of polymeric material (except for possible magnetic material). In this case, ferromagnetic, magnetic (that is magnetized material) or permanent magnetic inserts are utilized which are arranged in a way so that a magnetic coupling (attachment) of the waist and shoulder fastener is achieved (so that the combined fastener is formed). Nevertheless, it is also possible that ferromagnetic, magnetic or permanent magnetic material is utilized for parts or even all of at least one fastener and/or the buckle.

It is preferred that both combined fasteners each comprise at least one magnet which provides for a coupling of the respective waist fastener and shoulder fastener.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of said waist fastener and shoulder fastener of said (first and/or second) combined fastener comprises at least one permanent first magnet.

According to another preferred embodiment, the other of said waist fastener and shoulder fastener of said combined fastener comprises at least one element of fer romagnetic material or at least one permanent second magnet complementary to said permanent first magnet. A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. Materials that can be magnetized, which are also the ones that are strongly attracted to a magnet, are called ferromagnetic. These include iron, nickel and cobalt, some alloys of rare earth metals, and some naturally occurring minerals such as lodestone. Although ferromagnetic (and fer-rimagnetic) materials are the only ones attracted to a magnet strongly enough to be commonly considered magnetic, all other substances respond weakly to a magnetic field, by one of several other types of magnetism.

Ferromagnetic materials can be divided into magnetically "soft" materials like annealed iron, which can be magnetized but do not tend to stay magnetized, and magnetically "hard" materials, which do. Permanent magnets are made from "hard" ferromagnetic materials such as alnico and ferrite that are subjected to special processing in a powerful magnetic field during manufacture, to align their internal microcrystalline structure, making them very hard to demagnetize. To demagnetize a saturated magnet, a certain magnetic field must be applied, and this threshold depends on coercivity of the respective material. "Hard" materials have high coercivity, whereas "soft" materials have low coercivity.

Here, the term magnet refers to all materials which can be utilized for providing a magnetic force. The term permanent magnet is used for materials which create their own persistent magnetic field. The term ferromagnetic material refers to all materials which can be magnetized, for example by permanent magnets.

In particular, said permanent magnets and/or elements of ferromagnetic materials in said waist fastener and said shoulder fastener are arranged opposite to each other in said combined fastener. That means that the magnets and elements are arranged so that they are face to face to each other once the waist fastener and shoulder fastener are arranged so that they form the combined fastener. In this arrangement of the magnets, the magnets can provide for the largest sticking effect so that a structural stability of the combined fastener is provided.

In particular, said permanent magnets and/or elements of ferromagnetic materials in said waist fastener and said shoulder fastener contact each other in said combined fastener.

According to a preferred embodiment, all magnets and/or elements are provided as add on parts (for example as an insert) to each fastener. Thus, the magnets and/or elements are provided in certain positions only so that the full/maximal magnetic effect is only exerted once the waist fastener and shoulder fastener are arranged in the correct and final position and thus form the combined fastener.

According to a further preferred embodiment, said combined fasteners each comprise male first fixation elements which are insertable into said slots along a radial direction, wherein said magnets and/or elements of ferromagnetic materials in said waist fastener and said shoulder fastener contact each other via surfaces which are arranged parallel to a plane defined by said radial directions.

In particular, in a closed state first parts of the two waist fasteners and two shoulder fasteners are positioned within the central buckle body and second parts of the two waist fasteners and two shoulder fasteners are positioned outside of the central buckle body. The closed state refers to the state of the buckle in which all fasteners are locked up inside the central buckle body. In this state the central buckle body extends over the first parts of the fasteners which are arranged inside the slots of the central buckle body. The second parts of the fasteners extend from the central buckle body to the outside.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first parts comprises said magnet. In particular, the magnet and/or elements are only arranged in said first parts.

In particular, at least one of the second parts comprises said magnet. According to another embodiment, the magnet and/or elements are only arranged in said second parts.

In a preferred embodiment, magnets and/or elements are provided in both of first and second parts.

In particular, said buckle comprises a central release push button for unlocking said combined fasteners from said central buckle body.

It is preferred that said central release push button is movably attached to said central buckle body. In particular, the central release push button can be moved along an axial direction which is orthogonal to the radial directions.

It is preferred that the central release push button is attached to said central buckle body by second fixation elements. In particular, the central release push button comprises release elements which extend into the central buckle body and which are designed for disengaging the male first fixation elements of the combined fasteners once the central release push button is operated. Hence, by pressing on the release push button, the combined fasteners in their slots can be released. Further, especially the release button may be configured to release a click connection of the combined parts and the central buckle body by pressing on the release button. The closed state may be achieved by the slots and combined fasteners forming a click connection, which can be disconnected by pushing on the release button. Hence, the combined fasteners and the central buckle body are especially configured to provide a click connection (for a releasable connection).

The invention further relates to a seat belt system comprising a buckle according to the invention, wherein a first waist seat belt is attached to said first waist fastener, a second waist seat belt is attached to said second waist fastener, a first shoulder seat belt is attached to said first shoulder fastener, a second shoulder seat belt is attached to said second shoulder fastener and a central seat belt is attached to said central buckle body. The central seat belt is optional. The seat belt system may only comprise two waist and two shoulder fasteners. Further, the central buckle body may be permanently connected to one combined fastener so that only one other combined fastener (of waist and shoulder fastener) is detachable from the central buckle body.

In yet a further aspect, the invention also provides a seat system, especially for an infant, the seat system comprising the buckle as defined herein or the seat belt system as defined herein, wherein the seat system may especially be selected from the group consisting of a pram, a stroller, a buggy, and an infant car seat.

According to a further aspect (which can be independently pursued), the coupling is not utilizing magnetic force but instead uses male and female elements (such as protrusions and complementarily formed recesses) in waist and shoulder fasteners.

In particular, one of the waist and shoulder fasteners comprises at least one protrusion which extends in the axial direction (being orthogonal to the radial direction). The other of the waist and shoulder fastener comprises a recess into which the protrusion extends once waist and shoulder fastener are arranged as combined fastener.

Of course it is possible to utilize more than one protrusion/recess in each waist and shoulder fastener.

Hence, in an aspect the invention also provides a buckle, at least comprising a central buckle body, two waist fasteners and two shoulder fasteners; wherein a first waist fastener and a first shoulder fastener are arrangeable for forming a first combined fastener and wherein a second waist fastener and a second shoulder fastener are arrangeable for forming a second combined fastener; wherein said central buckle body further comprises slots for receiving and locking said first combined fastener and said second combined fastener; wherein especially at least one of said first and second combined fastener a male-female coupling of the respective waist fastener and shoulder fastener (to said combined fastener), wherein especially the combined fasteners are configured to be arranged into the central buckle body in a radial direction, and wherein the respective waist fastener and shoulder fastener are configured to be combined into the combined fastener via a movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the radial movement. For arranging the two combined fasteners into the central buckle body, first the two combined fasteners are provided (by associating the respective waist fastener and shoulder fastener) followed by inserting the (respective) combined fasteners into the central buckle body.

The explanatory facts mentioned in view of the magnetic coupling and in view of the seat belt system also apply to the protrusion/recess embodiment and vice versa.

Of course it is also possible to utilize both coupling techniques (magnetic force and interlocking of male and female elements) in one buckle or even in one combined fastener.

In a further aspect, the invention is applied for a so called three-point harnesses, especially with two shoulder fasteners that can be combined into a combined fastener, for introduction into the central buckle body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as the general technical field will be discussed in more detail below by means of the figures. The figures show particularly preferred exemplary embodiments to which the invention is not limited, however. In particular, it is to be pointed out that the figures and in particular the proportions illustrated are only schematic. Same reference signs refer to same items in the figures in which: fig. 1: shows a seat belt system viewed along the axial direction; fig. 2: shows a buckle according to a first embodiment with fasteners in a disengaged state viewed along the axial direction; fig. 3: shows the buckle of fig. 2 with combined fasteners viewed along the axial direction; fig. 4: shows a second shoulder fastener of the buckle according to fig. 2 and 3 in a perspective view; fig. 5: shows a second waist fastener of the buckle according to fig. 2 and 3 in a perspective view; fig. 6: shows a buckle according to a second embodiment with fasteners in a disengaged state viewed along the axial direction; fig. 7: shows a second shoulder fastener of the buckle according to fig. 6 in a perspective view; fig. 8: shows a second waist fastener of the buckle according to fig. 6 in a perspective view; fig. 9: shows the central release push button in a perspective view; and fig. 10: shows the central buckle body in a perspective view.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a seat belt system 16 viewed along the axial direction 30. The seat belt system 16 comprises a buckle 1, wherein a first waist seat belt 17 is attached to said first waist fastener 3 by a first aperture 38, a second waist seat belt 18 is attached to said second waist fastener 4 by a second aperture 39, a first shoulder seat belt 19 is attached to said first shoulder fastener 5 by a third aperture 40, a second shoulder seat belt 20 is attached to said second shoulder fastener 6 by a fourth aperture 41 and a central seat belt 21 is attached to said central buckle body 2 by a fifth aperture 42. The first waist fastener 3 and the first shoulder fastener 5 are arranged for forming a first combined fastener 7 and the second waist fastener 4 and the second shoulder fastener 6 are arranged for forming the second combined fastener 8. The central buckle body 2 comprises slots 9, 10 (see amongst others Fig. 2) for receiving and locking said first combined fastener 7 and said second combined fastener 8.

Fig. 2 shows a buckle 1 according to a first embodiment with fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6 in a disengaged state viewed along the axial direction 30. The buckle 1 comprises a central buckle body 2, two waist fasteners 3, 4 and two shoulder fasteners 5, 6; wherein the first waist fastener 3 and the first shoulder fastener 5 are arrangeable for forming a first combined fastener 7 and wherein the second waist fastener 4 and the second shoulder fastener 6 are arrangeable for forming the second combined fastener 8; wherein said central buckle 2 body further comprises slots 9, 10 for receiving and locking said first combined fastener 7 and said second combined fastener 8. Further, the first and second combined fastener 7, 8 each comprise magnets 11 and/or permanent magnets 12, 14 and/or elements 13 which provide for a magnetic coupling of the respective waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 to said combined fastener 7, 8. Here, elements 12,14 are by way of example associated with the second (combined) fastener 8, but may of course alternatively also be associated with the first combined fastener 7.

Especially, the reference magnet 11 may refer to all materials which can be utilized for providing a magnetic force. The term permanent magnet is used for materials which create their own persistent magnetic field. The term ferromagnetic material refers to all materials which can be magnetized, for example by permanent magnets. For instance, reference 11 may in embodiments refer to an element of ferromagnetic material, a permanent first magnet, or a permanent second magnet complementary to said permanent first magnet, etc..

The waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 of each side form a male part 43 (a click element) which is insertable along the radial direction 27 into the female part (the slot 9, 10) of the central buckle body 2. Here, at least the waist fasteners 3, 4 comprise more than one male part 43. The male parts 43 of the waist fasteners 3, 4 and the shoulder fasteners 5, 6 are only arrangeable in a single configuration which fits into the slot(s) 9, 10 of the central buckle body 2. The male parts 43 of the first combined fastener 7 (that is the male first fixation elements 22, see fig. 3) only fit into the first slot(s) 9 and the male parts 43 of the second combined fastener 8 (also referred to as the male first fixation elements 22, see fig. 3) only fit into the second slot(s) 10. The radial directions 27 are especially parallel to the plane 29 of the central buckle body 2 (here parallel to the plane of drawing).

The coupling of the waist fastener 3, 4 and the shoulder fastener 5, 6 (in order to form the combined fastener 7, 8) is supported by magnetic force wherein the magnetic force provides for a sticking effect which supports holding together the waist fastener 3, 4 and the shoulder fastener 5, 6 in the specific configuration of the combined fastener 7, 8.

Here the magnets 11, permanent magnets 12, 14 and/or elements 13 of ferromagnetic materials in said waist fastener 3, 4 and said shoulder fastener 5, 6 are arranged opposite to each other in said combined fastener 7, 8. That means that the magnets 11, 12, 14 and elements 13 are arranged so that they are face to face to each other once the waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 are arranged so that they form the combined fastener 7, 8. In this arrangement of the magnets 11, 12, 13, 14 the magnets 11, 12, 14, and element 13, can provide for the largest sticking effect so that a structural stability of the combined fastener 7, 8 is provided.

Here, magnets 11, 12, 14 and elements 13 are provided as add on parts (for example as an insert) to each fastener 3, 4, 5, 6. Thus, the magnets 11, 12, 14 and element 13 are provided in certain positions only so that the full/maximal magnetic effect is only exerted once the waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 are arranged in the correct and final position and thus form the combined fastener 7, 8 (refer to fig. 3).

The first waist fastener 3 comprises a magnet 11 which has a surface 28 (can also be indicated as contact surface) with a surface normal pointing in the circumferential direction 31. This magnet 11 is arranged opposite to the element 13 in the first shoulder fastener 5 which has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the (opposite) circumferential direction 31.

The first waist fastener 3 further comprises a magnet 11 which has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the axial direction 30. This magnet 11 is arranged opposite to the magnet 11 in the first shoulder fastener 5 which has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the (opposite) axial direction 30. These magnets 11 contact each other via their surfaces 28 which are arranged parallel to a plane 29 defined by said radial directions 27.

Fig. 3 shows the buckle 1 of fig. 2 with combined fasteners 7, 8 viewed along the axial direction 30. The waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 of each side form a male part 43 which is insertable along the radial direction 27 into the female part (the slot 9, 10) of the central buckle body 2. The male parts 43 of the waist fasteners 3, 4 and the shoulder fasteners 5, 6 are each arranged in the single configuration of the respective combined fastener 7, 8 which fits into the slot(s) 9, 10 of the central buckle body 2. The male parts 43 of the first combined fastener 7 (that is the male first fixation elements 22) only fit into the first slot(s) 9 and the male parts 43 of the second combined fastener 8 (also referred to as the male first fixation elements 22) only fit into the second slot(s) 10.

The waist fasteners 3, 4 comprise first parts 34 and the shoulder fasteners 5, 6 comprise first parts 35 which, in a closed state of the buckle 1, are positioned within the central buckle body 2 (closed state shown in fig. 1). Further, the waist fasteners 3, 4 comprise second parts 36 and the shoulder fasteners 5, 6 comprise second parts 37 which, in a closed state of the buckle 1, are positioned outside of the central buckle body 2 (closed state shown in fig. 1). As stated above, the closed state refers to the state of the buckle 1 in which all fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are locked up inside the central buckle body 2. In this state the central buckle body 2 extends over the first parts 34, 35 of the fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6 which are arranged inside the slots 9, 10 of the central buckle body 2. The second parts 36, 37 of the fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6 extend from the central buckle body 2 to the outside.

Fig. 4 shows a second shoulder fastener 6 of the buckle 1 according to fig. 2 and 3 in a perspective view. The second shoulder fastener 6 comprises a permanent first magnet 12 which is arranged in the second part 37 of the second shoulder fastener 6. This permanent first magnet 12 has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the circumferential direction 31. The second shoulder fastener 6 further comprises a permanent first magnet 12 which is arranged in the first part 35 of the second shoulder fastener 6. This permanent first magnet 12 has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the axial direction 30.

Fig. 5 shows a second waist fastener 4 of the buckle 1 according to fig. 2 and 3 in a perspective view. The second waist fastener 4 comprises a permanent second magnet 14 (which is complementary in magnetic orientation to the permanent first magnet 12 of the second shoulder fastener 6 of fig. 4) which is arranged in the second part 36 of the second waist fastener 4. This permanent second magnet 14 has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the circumferential direction 31. The second waist fastener 4 further comprises a permanent second magnet 14 which is arranged in the first part 34 of the second waist fastener 4. This permanent second magnet 14 has a surface 28 with a surface normal pointing in the axial direction 30.

Fig. 6 shows a buckle 1 according to a second embodiment with fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6 in a disengaged state viewed along the axial direction 30. It is referred to the description of fig. 2 and 3. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that here no magnetic force is utilized for coupling the waist and shoulder fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6. Instead male and female elements such as protrusions 32 and complementarily formed recesses 33 are formed in waist and shoulder fasteners 3, 4, 5, 6.

Here, both shoulder fasteners 5, 6 each comprise one protrusion 33 which extends in the axial direction 30 (being orthogonal to the radial direction 27). The waist fasteners 3, 4 each comprises one complementary formed recess 33 into which the protrusion 32 extends once waist and shoulder fastener 3, 4, 5, 6 are arranged as combined fastener 7, 8. The waist fastener 3, 4 and shoulder fastener 5, 6 can only be coupled by an additional movement toward each other in the axial direction 30 so that the protrusion 32 enters into the recess 33. In that way the structural stability of the combined fastener 7, 8 is ensured.

Fig. 7 shows a second shoulder fastener 6 of the buckle 1 according to fig. 6 in a perspective view. It is referred to the description of fig. 4. The second shoulder fastener 6 comprises a protrusion 32 which is arranged in the first part 35 of the second shoulder fastener 6. The protrusion 32 extends along the axial direction 30.

Fig. 8 shows a second waist fastener 4 of the buckle 1 according to fig. 6 in a perspective view. It is referred to the description of fig. 5. The second waist fastener 4 further comprises a recess 33 which is arranged in the first part 34 of the second waist fastener 4. This recess extends along the axial direction 30 and is complementary formed to the protrusion 32 shown in fig. 7 so that the protrusion 32 and the recess 33 together form an interlocking connection.

Fig. 9 shows the central release push button 15 in a perspective view.

Fig. 10 shows the central buckle body 2 in a perspective view. The central release push button is movably attached to said central buckle body 2 for unlocking the combined fasteners 7, 8 from the central buckle body 2. The central release push button 15 can be moved along an axial direction 30 relative to the central buckle body 2.

The central release push button 15 is attached to said central buckle body 2 by second fixation elements 26 which extend along the axial direction 30 into second openings 25 of the central buckle body 2. Further, the central release push button 15 comprises release elements 23 which extend into first openings 24 of the central buckle body 2 along the axial direction 30. The release elements 23 are designed for disengaging the male first fixation elements 22 of the combined fasteners 7, 8 being positioned inside the first and second slots 9, 10 once the central release push button 15 is operated.

The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of’. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term "comprising" may in an embodiment refer to "consisting of' but may in another embodiment also refer to "containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

List of reference signs 1 buckle 2 central buckle body 3 first waist fastener 4 second waist fastener 5 first shoulder fastener 6 second shoulder fastener 7 first combined fastener 8 second combined fastener 9 first slot 10 second slot 11 magnet 12 permanent first magnet 13 element 14 permanent second magnet 15 central release push button 16 seat belt system 17 first waist seat belt 18 second waist seat belt 19 first shoulder seat belt 20 second shoulder seat belt 21 central seat belt 22 first fixation element 23 release element 24 first opening 25 second opening 26 second fixation element 27 radial direction 28 surface 29 plane 30 axial direction 31 circumferential direction 32 protrusion 33 recess 34 first part (of waist fastener) 35 first part (of shoulder fastener) 36 second part (of waist fastener) 37 second part (of shoulder fastener) 38 first aperture 39 second aperture 40 third aperture 41 fourth aperture 42 fifth aperture 43 male part

Claims

P100240NL00

A buckle (1), at least comprising a central split body (2), two waist fasteners (3, 4) and two shoulder fasteners (5, 6); wherein a first waist fastener (3) and a first shoulder fastener (5) are arranged to form a first combined fastener (7) and wherein a second waist fastener (4) and a second shoulder fastener (6) can be arranged to form a second combined fastener (8); wherein said central split body (2) further comprises slots (9, 10) for receiving and locking the first combined fastener (7) and the second combined fastener (8); wherein at least one of the first and the second combined fastener (7, 8) comprises at least one magnet (11) that provides magnetic coupling of the waist fastener (3, 4) to the respective shoulder fastener (5, 6) up to said combined fastener (7, 8).

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein both combined fasteners (7, 8) each comprise at least one magnet (11), which is a coupling between the waist fastener (3, 4) and the respective shoulder fastener (5, 6).

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of said waist fastener (3, 4) and shoulder fastener of said combined fastener (7, 8) comprises at least one permanent magnet (12).

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other of said waist fastener (3, 4) and shoulder fastener (5, 6) of said combined fastener (7, 8) comprises at least one element (13) of ferromagnetic material or comprises at least one permanent second magnet (14) which is complementary to said first permanent magnet (12).

The buckle (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said permanent magnets (12, 14) and / or elements (13) of ferromagnetic material in said waist fastener (3, 4) and shoulder fastener (5, 6) in said combined fastening member (7, 8) are arranged opposite each other.

The buckle (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said permanent magnets (12, 14) and / or elements (13) of ferromagnetic material in said waist fastener (3, 4) and said shoulder fastener (5) 6) touching each other in said combined fastener (7, 8).

The buckle (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said combined fasteners (7, 8) each comprise male first fixation elements (22) that can be inserted along a radial direction (27) in said slots (9, 10), wherein said magnets (12, 14) and / or elements (13) of ferromagnetic material in said waist fastener (3, 4) and said shoulder fastener (5, 6) touch each other via surfaces (28) which arranged parallel to a plane defined by said radial directions (27).

The buckle (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in a closed state first parts (34, 35) of the two waist fasteners (3, 4) and two shoulder fasteners (5, 6) within the central buckle body (2) are positioned and second parts (36, 37) of the two waist fasteners (3, 4) and two shoulder fasteners (5, 6) are positioned outside the central buckle body (2).

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first parts (34, 35) comprises said magnet (11).

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the second parts (36, 37) comprises said magnet (11).

The buckle (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said buckle (1) comprises a central release push button (15) for unlocking said combined fasteners (7, 8) of said central split body (2) .

The buckle (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said central release push button (15) is movably connected to said central split body (2).

A safety belt system (16) comprising a buckle (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a first safety belt (17) is connected to said first safety belt (3), a second safety belt (18) is connected to said second waist fastener (4), a first shoulder safety belt (19) is connected to said first shoulder fastener (5), a second shoulder safety belt (20) is connected to said second shoulder fastener (6) and a central safety belt (21) is connected to said central split body (2).

A seat system for a baby comprising the buckle (1) according to one or more of claims 1-12 or the seat belt system (16) according to claim 13, wherein the seat system is selected from the group consisting of a stroller, a pram, a buggy, and a car seat.