US20080078070A1

US20080078070A1 - Snap-on buckle for hand strap mounting

Info

Publication number: US20080078070A1
Application number: US11/528,739
Authority: US
Inventors: Amir Weiss; Henry Grossfeld; Charles Torzilli; David M. Bauer; Mark Lamont
Original assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2006-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-03

Abstract

Described is a snap-on buckle. The snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and a snap, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal. In an alternate embodiment, the snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and an attachment means, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.

Description

BACKGROUND

Conventional buckle designs that incorporate straps for mobile terminals create premature wearing of the housing. The buckle, usually made of plastic, includes a hollow cylinder to house a watch pin. The watch pin is inserted into holes on the housing. The watch pin, by design, moves relative to the housing in which it is installed causing wear and damage over time through continuous use. The watch pin and buckle would subsequently require replacement after sufficient wear and damage is caused. In addition, the amount of damage on the buckle and/or watch pin at any given time is unknown to the user. Thus, the user is unaware of when to replace the buckle and/or watch pin. The unknown wear and damage may result in a break in the assembly that may cause damage to a user, especially around the area the mobile terminal is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snap-on buckle. The snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and a snap, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal. In an alternate embodiment, the snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and an attachment means, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows an exploded view of an outer side of a snap-on buckle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b shows an exploded view of an inner side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 a shows an assembled view of the outer side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 b shows an assembled view of the inner side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a top side of a buckle of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a assembled with a pin inserted in a housing of a mobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention describes a snap-on buckle used to strap a mobile terminal to a user. The snap-on buckle, its constituent parts, and its attachment to the mobile terminal will be discussed in detail below.
FIG. 1 a shows an exploded view of an outer side of a snap-on buckle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The snap-on buckle includes a buckle 100 and a snap 200. The buckle 100 has a bottom side 105, a left side 110, a right side 115, and a top side 120. The buckle 100 includes a hole 125, a pair of break away points 130, 132, a pair of windows 135, 140, grooves 145, a middle body 150, and buckle connectors 155 (not shown, see FIG. 3). The snap 200 includes a panel 205, a hook portion 210, a curve portion 215, and snap connectors 220. The constituent parts of the snap-on buckle will be described in more detail below.
The buckle 100 is a portion of the snap-on buckle that holds an attachment device such as a strap. The strap may be any conventional strap used to attach a mobile terminal to an object (e.g., a user's arm, a pole, etc.). For example, the strap may be manufactured of a woven polyester fabric. The woven pattern may enhance gripping properties of the strap on the buckle 100. It should be noted that the use of a strap is only exemplary and that the buckle 100 may hold any attachment device that is used to hold a mobile terminal to a surface. The buckle 100 is manufactured using a rigid plastic to retain a shape. However, it should be noted that the use of a rigid plastic is only exemplary and that other materials may be used to manufacture the buckle 100 (e.g., rubber, metal, etc.).
The buckle 100 has a substantially square shape when viewed from above. The substantially square shape includes the four sides 105-120. The bottom side 105 and the top side 120 are substantially parallel to each other. The left side 110 and the right side 115 are substantially parallel to each other. The top side 105 and the bottom side 120 are substantially perpendicular to the left side 110 and the right side 115. It should be noted that the parallel properties of the opposite sides of the buckle 100 is only exemplary. Depending on the attachment device (e.g., strap) and the surface to which the mobile terminal attaches, the buckle 100 may exhibit any shape. For example, in anticipation of the mobile terminal being strapped to a conical surface, the buckle 100 may be designed to exhibit a trapezoidal shape with the side 105 being substantially parallel to the side 120. The left side 110 may be placed on an angle (e.g., 30°, 45°) while the right side 115 remains substantially perpendicular to the sides 105, 120.
In the exemplary embodiment, the left side 110 and the right side 115 exhibit a curvature across the length of those sides. The curvature is used in anticipation of the snap-on buckle attaching to a surface that is curved such as a finger or wrist. However, those skilled in the art will understand that depending on the surface to which the snap-on buckle attaches may determine if the sides 110, 115 exhibit a curvature. For example, if the surface is a flat surface (e.g., wall, table top) then the sides 110, 115 may be straight to conform to the surface that it attaches. It should be noted that the buckle 100 may be designed to allow a curvature with strategic bending points across the sides 110, 115. These bending points will allow the buckle 100 to adjust to any rounded surface to which it attaches.
The hole 125 exhibits a substantially rectangular shape to receive the snap 200 located on the top side 120. The hole 125 is designed so that the snap 200 may be insert molded into it, thereby assembling the snap 200 with the buckle 100, as shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 b. Within the hole 125 includes buckle connectors 155 (not shown, see FIG. 3) to the snap connectors 220 on the snap 200. The connectors 220 and the buckle connectors 155 will be discussed in more detail below.
The pair of break away points 130, 132 provide a measure to prevent potential injury by preemptively breaking the buckle 100. The break away points 130, 132 may be designed to break at any break away force. The break away force is any force that is sufficient to cause potential injury. For example, the buckle 100 may automatically break when a load of approximately 60-70 pounds is applied. If a load of approximately 60-70 pounds is applied, the snap 200 may break, separating the hook portion 210 portion from the panel 205 portion. The break points 130, 132 may be located on the buckle 100 beside the shorter sides of the window 135 (sides parallel to the left side 110 and the right side 115). In another exemplary embodiment, the break away points 130, 132 may be located on the buckle 100 beside the shorter sides of the window 140 (sides parallel to the left side 110 and the right side 115). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the break away points 130, 132 may be located on the edges (toward the left side 110 and the right side 115) of the middle body 150. It should be noted that the use of one pair of break away points is exemplary only and the buckle 100 may have more than two break away points strategically placed to preemptively break when a threshold load is placed. For example, the buckle 100 may have one pair of break away points beside the shorter sides of the window 130, another pair of break away points beside the short sides of the window 140, and another pair of break away points on the edges of the middle body 150.
As discussed above, the snap-on buckle of the present invention is intended to attach a mobile terminal to a surface. Therefore, the buckle 100 includes a pair of windows 135, 140 for a strap to be inserted. The section of the buckle 100 in between the pair of windows 135, 140 is a middle body 150. The strap enters one window (e.g., window 135), loops around the middle body 150, and exits the other window (e.g., window 140). In the exemplary embodiment, the use of the pair of windows 135, 140 may be further improved to hold a strap using the grooves 145. The grooves 145 increase a coefficient of friction when the strap is inserted into the window 135. Those skilled in the art will understand that the use of the pair of windows 135, 140 is only exemplary and that other attachment means are possible. For example, the strap may include conventional attachment means such as buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc. The buckler 100 would include a corresponding attachment means.
The snap 200 is a portion of the snap-on buckle that loops into a mobile terminal. The portion of the mobile terminal that the snap 200 loops into will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the snap 200 is manufactured using a stamped metal. The stamped metal is a rigid metal that may bend but ultimately retains its structure. It should be noted that the use of the stamped metal is only exemplary and that the snap 200 may be manufactured using other materials (e.g., plastics).
The panel 205 is the main body of the snap 200. The panel 205 is substantially linear across the length of the snap 200. It should be noted that the panel 205 being linear is only exemplary. The panel 205 may exhibit a curvature or a bend depending on the hole 125 that it eventually fits into. Those skilled in the art will understand that a curvature or a bend may enhance any retentive properties when the buckle 100 and the snap 200 are assembled.
The hook portion 210 is formed to a side of the panel 205 opposite the side that attaches to the buckle 100. The hook portion 210 is the piece of the snap-on buckle that directly attaches to a corresponding pin on the mobile terminal. The hook portion 210 is designed to circumnavigate the pin on the mobile terminal in a manner that also allows removal of the snap 200 from the mobile terminal if desired. In one exemplary embodiment, the hook portion 210 exhibits a round shape that completes three-fourths of the circumference of a circle (e.g., arc length), thereby leaving a one-fourth arc as an empty space. The arc may originate from the side of the panel 205. The arc extends linearly across the length of the panel 205 maintaining a fixed radius. The radius of the arc is dependent on the radius of the pin since the inner surface area of the hook portion 210 should be, for example, flush against the pin. It should be noted that the hook portion 210 exhibiting an arc that is three-fourths the circumference of a circle is only exemplary. The arc may be more or less (e.g., one half) than three-fourths but should be sufficient enough to loop onto the pin without slipping or chance of falling off. It should also be noted that the arc may not be flush against the surface of the pin. As described above, the arc need only be sufficient to prevent slipping or chances of falling off. Those skilled in the art will understand that it is possible to design the hook portion 210 so that the radius of the arc may be greater than the radius of the pin.
The side of the panel 205 that is insert molded into the hole 125 of the buckle 100 includes the curve portion 215. The curve portion 215 functions to snugly hold the panel 205 in the hole 125. In the exemplary embodiment, the size of the hole 125 is greater than the inserting side of the panel 205. Thus, the curve portion 215 increases the size of the inserting side of the panel 205 so that the snap 200 may be properly insert molded into the hole 125 of the buckle 100. It should be noted that the use of a curve portion 215 is only exemplary and the snap 200 may be manufactured without the curve portion 215.
On the body of the panel 205 are the snap connectors 220. The snap connectors 220 function to lock the snap 200 upon insert molding into the buckle 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the snap connectors 220 are two holes placed toward the edges (i.e., sides perpendicular to the side with the hook portion 210 and the curve portion 215) of the panel 205. The holes would snap into buckle connectors 155 located within the hole 125 of the buckle 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the top side 120 of the buckle 100 of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a is shown. The hole 125 is shown to extend a majority of the length of the buckle 100. It should be noted that the hole 125 may extend the entire length of the buckle 100 or a smaller length of the buckle 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the size of the hole 125 need only be sufficient enough to receive the snap 200 for insert molding without any inadvertent rotation (i.e., the snap 200 is fixed when locked into the buckle 100). The buckle connectors 155 are rounded protrusions from an inner wall of the hole 125. It should be noted that the use of rounded protrusions are only exemplary. The protrusions to fit in the snap connectors 220 may exhibit corners that fit exactly into the snap connectors 220 or may be exhibit properties of both the rounded protrusions with corners (e.g., protrusions that extend linearly with rounded tops). In the exemplary embodiment, the end of the curve portion 215 of the snap 200 would be located on the side of the hole 125 opposite the side with the buckle connectors 155, thereby placing the snap connectors 220 in direct contact with the buckle connectors 155.
It should be noted that the snap connectors 220 being holes and the buckle connectors 155 being protrusions is only exemplary and other locking mechanisms may be used to insert mold the snap 200 to the buckle 100. For example, the snap connectors 220 may be buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc. The buckle connectors 155 would be a corresponding locking mechanism.
FIG. 1 b shows an exploded view of an inner side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a. FIG. 1 b shows the opposite sides of all the constituent parts shown in FIG. 1 a. A corresponding release port 130 is also present on the inner side of the buckle 100. The middle body 150 of the buckle 100 exhibits a curvature on the inner side while the outer side of the middle body 150 exhibits a like curvature to the sides 110, 115. The curvature of the middle body 150 is steep near the top (side closer to the top side 125) and becomes gradual near the bottom (side closer to the bottom side 105). The grooves 145 are shown to appear as small protrusions on the top of the middle body 150.
FIG. 2 a shows an assembled view of the outer side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a. The assembled view shows that a majority of the panel 205 has been inserted into the hole 125. The snap connectors 220 are fully within the hole 125 to attach to the corresponding buckle connectors 155. Since a majority of the panel 205 is inserted, a small portion (top side) is still present in the assembled view of FIG. 2 a. All features of the buckle 100 remain the same as the exploded views of FIGS. 1 a-b.
FIG. 2 b shows an assembled view of the inner side of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a. FIG. 2 b shows the opposite sides of all the constituent parts shown in FIG. 2 a. The middle body 150 of the buckle 100 still exhibits the curvature on the inner side. The grooves 145 are still shown to appear as small protrusions on the top of the middle body 150.
It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments including the buckle portion 100 and the snap portion 200 is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the snap-on buckle may be manufactured as one unit so that the buckle 100 and the snap 200 do not require assembly.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a assembled with a pin 300 inserted in a housing of a mobile terminal. In addition to a new buckle design, the present invention incorporates the pin 300 used as a holding site for the snap-on buckle. The pin 300 is a cylinder that is fixed in the mobile terminal. It should be noted that the cylinder may be solid or hollow depending on the material used to manufacture the pin 300. For example, if the pin 300 is manufactured using a hard metal (e.g., iron, stainless steel), then the pin 300 may be hollow. If the pin 300 is manufactured using a rigid plastic, then the pin 300 may be solid. The mobile terminal may include an insertion port 305 where the pin 300 is installed in the mobile terminal. It should be noted that the use of the insertion port 305 is only exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the pin 300 may be placed within a housing of the mobile terminal. It should also be noted that the pin 300 may be part of the housing and is one unit with the housing (i.e., the pin 300 is integrally molded within the housing of the mobile terminal).
In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 300 is fixed. That is, the pin 300, though round, does not rotate or move relative to the housing that it is installed. This prevents wear and damage over time through continuous use. For the snap-on buckle to adjust to the surface to which it attaches, the arc of the hook portion 210 on the snap 200 provides the rotational properties necessary. The pin 300 may be fixed by maintaining a rounded cylindrical shape on the surface area where the snap 200 is to connect, but the ends may be a different shape. For example, the ends of the pin 300 may be squares that are inserted into square holes in the mobile terminal.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A snap-on buckle, comprising:

a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point; and

a snap, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.

2. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is a strap.

3. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the at least one break away point is activated when an impermissible load is attached to the snap-on buckle.

4. The snap-on buckle of claim 3, wherein the impermissible load is at least 60 pounds.

5. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle is manufactured using one of a rigid plastic and metal.

6. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap is manufactured using one of a stamped metal and plastic.

7. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the surface of the mobile terminal is a pin.

8. The snap-on buckle of claim 7, wherein the snap further comprises:

a hook portion circumnavigating the pin, thereby rotating around the pin.

9. The snap-on buckle of claim 8, wherein the hook portion circumnavigates the pin at least one half a circumference of the pin.

10. The snap-on buckle of claim 7, wherein the pin is fixed on the mobile terminal, thereby preventing a rotation and movement of the pin with respect to the mobile terminal.

11. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein, when the attachment device is received, the at least one break away point includes a pair of break away points located near the attachment device.

12. A snap-on buckle, comprising:

an attachment means, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.

13. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the attachment device is a strap.

14. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the buckle is manufactured using one of a rigid plastic and metal.

15. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the attachment means is manufactured using one of a stamped metal and plastic.

16. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the surface of the mobile terminal is a pin.

17. The snap-on buckle of claim 16, wherein the attachment means further comprises:

a hooking means circumnavigating the pin, thereby rotating around the pin.

18. The snap-on buckle of claim 17, wherein the hooking means circumnavigates the pin at least one half a circumference of the pin.

19. The snap-on buckle of claim 16, wherein the pin is fixed on the mobile terminal, thereby preventing a rotation and movement of the pin with respect to the mobile terminal.

20. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein, when the attachment device is received, the at least one break away point includes a pair of break away points located near the attachment device.